Abstract for Post: Seasonal Variation in Heavy Metal Distribution in the Sediments of Selected Dams in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Author(s): B.L Gav1, M.O Aremu2 and A.C Etonihu3
The study was carried out on seasonal variation in heavy metal distribution in sediments from Dams located in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Sediment samples were collected twice each at two different seasons for two years from May to September ,2014 and November-December, 2014 to March, 2015 for wet and dry seasons, respectively. Similarly, sediment samples were collected from May to September, 2015 and November-December, 2015 to March, 2016 for wet and dry seasons, respectively and analysed for heavy metal properties using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS).  Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyse the results of the concentration of heavy metals in sediment samples. The mean results of the heavy metal levels showed high values in dry seasons and low values in wet seasons for two years.  The results of ANOVA showed significant difference in the heavy metal concentrations were recorded between the seasons, dams and years. The results for heavy metals revealed that most of the levels determined in sediments were within the WHO acceptable standards except for Pb and Mn exceeded the WHO acceptable standards for drinking water. Based on these results, the dams are assessed to be polluted and unsuitable for human consumption, except after its treatment.