An Evaluation of Heavy Metals Concentration in the Choba Section of the New Calabar River, Eastern Niger Delta

Assessment of heavy metals concentration in water and sediments of the Choba section of the New Calabar River, Eastern Niger Delta were carried out. Seven (7) river sediments and twelve (12) surface water samples were collected for the study. The heavy metals studied were: Mn, Pb, Zn, Fe, Cd, Cr, and Cu for in both river sediment and surface water. The World Health Organization (WHO) standards were used in evaluating Pollution Index (PI) of heavy metals in surface water. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) level of river sediments ranged from 5.12 – 33.26, with only PLI values <1 considered unpolluted. The other samples analyzed revealed high pollution levels, with Cu, Cr and Mn having moderate to considerable Contamination Factor levels, while the others were of low levels. For surface water, Pb and Zn had high Pollution Index values, with Pb having PI values ranging 10 – 211, with considerable contribution of pollutants from anthropogenic activities into the river. There is urgent need for regular monitoring of the Choba section of the River. The regulatory government agency responsible for protecting the environment should also pay adequate attention to this stretch of the river to avoid further contamination.