Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Water and Sediment Samples from Maska Dam, Katsina State, Nigeria

Water and sediment samples collected from Maska dam in dry and wet seasons were analysed for some heavy metals namely, Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn. After sample digestion, micro-wave Plasma atomic absorption spectroscopy (MPAES) was used to determine the concentrations of the metals. The concentrations were analysed statistically using one way analysis of variance (Anova). The levels of metals in water and sediment were compared with local and international regulatory authorities. From the result of analysis, the concentrations of the metals in (mg/L) were as follows: 0.03±0.01 for Cd, 0.186±0.003 for Cu, 0.19±0.005 for Ni and 0.193±0.003 for Zn, 0.027±0.002 for Cd, 0.057±0.002 for Cu, 0.114±0.002 for Ni and 0.141±0.001 for Zn in water samples in dry and wet seasons. Likewise, the concentration of the metals in sediment in dry and wet seasons were, 0.0196±0.002 for Cd, 0.143±0.003 for Cu, 0.166±0.044 for Ni and 0.766±0.044mg/kg for Zn in dry season. Similarly, 0.019±0.001 for Cd, 0.143±0.004 for Cu, 0.160±0.09 for Ni and 0.451±0.003mg/kg for Zn were obtained in wet season. The concentrations of Cu and Zn were below the permissible limits of WHO/SON while Cd and Ni were above the permissible limit of WHO/SON in water samples. However, the concentrations of all the metals were below the permissible limits of NOAA and USEPA. The result of statistical analysis indicated no significant difference at P greater than 0.05 (P>0.05).