Impact of metals and nutrients pollution on the socio-cultural disposition of humans: A case study of Aleto River, Rivers State, Nigeria

Barinedum Akpene, Leonard Chukwuemeka Anyika and Chidi Obi

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of trace metals and nutrient loads on the inhabitants of Aleto using Aleto rivers in Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria. Aleto River serves as the point of industrial effluent discharge while Agbonchia River was used as the control point. Physico-chemical properties were analyzed in the samples such as pH, phosphate, sulphate, nitrate, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), chloride and dissolved oxygen (DO). The trace metal components were analyzed using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). The physicochemical characteristics revealed range value of chloride, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and dissolved oxygen were above World Health Organization permissible limits for upstream and downstream points, while temperature, electrical conductivity, phosphate, sulphate, and nitrate were within the maximum allowable limit of World Health Organization. The result shows the presence of all the heavy metals (lead, manganese and cadmium) in the river except nickel.   The pH values ranged from 6.30-9.00 showing a result on the upstream to be alkaline while the downstream to be slightly acidic. This indicates that the river is unfit for both human and aquatic species thereby affecting the socio-cultural heritage of the people within the locality. The findings highlight the urgent need for government regulations to ensure clean water and sanitation in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 6.