Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water Bodies and Water lily of Sabon birni Local Government, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Heavy metals are serious hazards to living organisms including humans their contamination in water, food and environment can cause organ damage. This study was aim to determine heavy metal concentration in stagnant water and water lily grown in an area where anthropogenic activities took place. The heavy metals composition of the randomized study areas and water lily (leaves, seeds and roots) growing in was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic technique. The highest concentration of mercury, cadmium, copper and lead was obtained in Lajingestagnant water but Dantudu with highest concentration of manganese and zinc. The highest concentration of mercury, cadmium, copper, iron and zinc was obtained in seeds while leaves have the highest concentration of lead. This study shows that aforementioned water bodies and water lily grown in contains less concentration of heavy metals to pose toxicity. Keywords: Heavy metals, Concentration, Water lily, Bioaccumulation, Stagnant water