Pollution studies of Nigerian rivers: trace metal levels of surface waters in the Niger delta area

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Abstract
The Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn levels of surface waters and industrial effluents in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria were determined. The concentrations of most metals in these surface waters were generally lower than international levels in freshwaters and international drinking water standards. With the exception of Pb, metal levels in petroleum effluents were within the range found for European refineries. The level of Pb in these effluents could be due to its higher value in gasoline in Nigeria compared with those in UK and USA. In spite of the metal levels being within the safety limits in these waters, there is still the need to control the discharge of industrial effluents into these rivers.