EVALUATION OF TOXIC METAL CONTAMINATION IN ULASI RIVER, OKIJA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Ten heavy metals (As, Bo, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were assessed in Ulasi river, Okija. Three sample stations that include; station A. Ubahuabuba, station B. below bridge along Okija-Nnewi Road, station C. Onitsha – Owerri road were analysed. The result was obtained using ANOVA statistical analysis and there was significant difference of 0.05%. The results obtained also revealed that the mean concentrations of the metals ranged from Arsenic 0.012 to 0.19mg/l, Bo 0.057 to 00.77mg/l, Cadmium 0.008 to 0.035mg/l, Chromium 0.028 to 0.039mg/l, Lead 0.017 to 0.029mg/l, Manganese 0.046 to 0.070, Fe 0.056 to 0.076mg/l , Cu 0.037 to 0.068mg/l , Zn 0.050 to 0.112mg/l and Nickel 0.039 to 0.076mg/l with Arsenic , Cadmium , Lead , Nickel were in excess when compared with the WHO (2017) guidelines for drinking water ,whereas the other metals analysed were within the recommended limit . The Ulasi water is therefore unfit for drinking except after adequate treatment.