Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in River Orogodo (Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria)

Sediment samples from the coast of River Orogodo in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria were sampled over four months (May to August) and analysed for heavy metals ( Cd, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cr) using Atomic absorption spectroscopic method. Some specific physico-chemical characteristics, such as organic matter, pH and conductivity which are known to influence the interactions and dynamics of metals within the sediment matrix were also determined. The result of the analysis indicates significant difference (p Mn (4.02 -0.50) > Zn (1.91 -1.11) > Cu (1.04-0.10) > Pb (0.96-0.30) > Ni (0.75-0.57) >Cd (0.43-0.09) > Cr(0.30-0.10). The significant correlation (p<0.05) however exists between some of the metals and some also show high correlations at p<0.01.The concentrations of most heavy metals are low, but iron content is higher than the background value and DPR standard for soil/sediment which indicates significant contamination by iron in the water body.