Physicochemical and Heavy Metals Analysis of Water and Sediment of Kurfi Pond, Kurfi Local Government Area, Katsina State - Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the concentrations of selected heavy metals and the physicochemical characteristics of water and sediment from Kurfi Pond. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The physicochemical parameters of the water and sediment samples, respectively, were found to be: pH (7.40 ± 0.01 and 7.30 ± 0.00), temperature (29 ± 1.89°C and 29 ± 1.80°C), electrical conductivity (109 ± 0.50 µS/cm and 65 ± 0.20 µS/cm), and total dissolved solids (780 ± 2.05 mg/L and 103 ± 2.00 mg/L). The concentrations of Pb, Cr, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cd, and Co in the water samples were 2.57 ± 0.02, 0.17 ± 0.01, 2.06 ± 0.00, 0.17 ± 0.01, 0.30 ± 0.00, 0.05 ± 0.00, 0.02 ± 0.00, and 0.08 ± 0.01 mg/L, respectively. In the sediment samples, the corresponding concentrations were 183.63 ± 0.37, 3.22 ± 0.28, 5.18 ± 0.34, 6.03 ± 0.14, 117.30 ± 0.13, 5.18 ± 0.05, 0.27 ± 0.01, and 57.41 ± 0.09 mg/kg, respectively. Comparison with the relevant permissible standards indicated that the concentrations of Pb, Fe, and Mn exceeded the WHO-recommended limits for water quality and the TEC and PEC guidelines for sediments. The elevated concentrations of these heavy metals suggest significant contamination of the pond ecosystem, posing risks of bioaccumulation, toxicity to aquatic organisms, and potential adverse health effects on humans through direct or indirect exposure. The findings highlight the urgent need for appropriate remediation measures to reduce heavy metal contamination in Kurfi Pond. Furthermore, regular environmental monitoring and effective pollution control strategies are recommended to protect aquatic ecosystems and safeguard public health.