Assessment of Toxic Elements (TEs) in Freshwater Surficial Sediments: Case Study of Kuto – Ijeun Titun Streams, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

• Authors: O. D. Umoren Umoren , A. A. Tijani , C. P. Godwin , O. P. Adekoya , S. O. Abimbola , C. C. Nwose , O. E. Mbaeze , E. C. Agbo , F. E. Adewale
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Toxic elements (TEs) found in surficial sediments from water bodies in Nigeria have consistently led to high levels of pollution attributed to human activities, such as population growth, agricultural practices, and industrialization. This study aimed to assess the presence and level of TEs in selected stream sediments within Kuto–Ijeun Titun, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Ten surficial sediment samples were strategically collected from upstream and downstream of five streams, air-dried, and acid-digested. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to analyze the TEs in the sediment samples. The results indicated that the mean Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), and Lead (Pb) across all sampling stations exceeded the European Union (EU) standards, measuring 5.74, 7312.72, and 529.84 mg/kg respectively. In contrast, Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn) levels were within the EU standards, measuring 1.53, 32.84, 27.96, 47.62, and 18.85 mg/kg respectively. Correlation at p < 0.05 showed a positive moderate correlation between Cd-Mn (r = 0.436), and Cr-Fe (r = 0.462). Negative moderate correlation between Cd-Co (r = -0.550), Fe-Pb (r = -0.535), Pb-Zn (r = -0.610) and a significantly strong correction between Co-Mn (r = -0.710). Factor analysis revealed four components totalling 86.4% of the variance and moderate loadings with Cd and Mn, Fe and Zn, and strong loadings from Cr and Cu. The presence of some of these TEs potentially poses a significant environmental pollution threat to the community. Therefore, urgent actions should be taken to mitigate and remediate the study streams of these toxic elements.

Keywords

EN

Abeokuta; Kuto-Ijeun; Sediments; Streams; Toxic elements

Discipline

• ENVIRONMENT_&_ECOLOGY: ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

• Publisher: Scientific Publishing House „DARWIN”
• Journal: World News of Natural Sciences
• Year: 2025
• Volume: 59
• Pages: 95-108

Contributors

author

O. D. Umoren Umoren

• Chemical Science Unit, Pure Sciences, Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria

author

A. A. Tijani

• Chemical Science Unit, Pure Sciences, Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria

author

C. P. Godwin

• Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria

author

O. P. Adekoya

• Department of Civil, Aerospace, Design and Engineering, University of Bristol, United Kingdom

author

S. O. Abimbola

• Department of Fisheries, Lagos State University, Lagos State, Nigeria

author

C. C. Nwose

• Department of Biochemistry, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria

author

O. E. Mbaeze

• Department of Environmental Geology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

author

E. C. Agbo

• Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

author

F. E. Adewale

• Department of Energy and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

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• Document Type: article