Heavy metals have been a defining parameter concerning water quality. They have constituted a major degree in pollutants levels in the environment. The study was designed to investigate the comparative levels of heavy metals in colloidal and water samples in relation to the activities on the River Oyun and the activities around the sampling location. The samples were analyzed for six metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The results obtained showed that the concentrations of Lead and Cadmium gave 0.00mg/L, Manganese ranged 0.23-7.56mg/L, Iron (0.50-5.54mg/L), Copper (0.00-0.06mg/L) and Zinc (0.04-0.19mg/L) for water samples. While for the colloidal sample concentrations obtained, Lead and Cadmium persisted with 0.00mg/L, Manganese (0.10-0.32mg/L), Iron (0.94-9.37mg/L), Copper (0.03-0.14mg/L) and Zinc (0.07-0.51mg/L). The result of analysis showed that Copper, Zinc, Lead and Cadmium ion concentrations fell below the WHO and FEPA permissible limits for surface waters, and its use will not result in poisoning. Manganese and Iron ions have concentrations higher than the WHO/FEPA standards which posed health hazards on water consumption.
Keywords: spectrophotometry, pollutants, heavy metals, poisoning
