Abstract:
Heavy metal concentrations in effluents from RIMCO vegetable oil factory Nnewi Anambra State and Nigerian Breweries Plc (NBL) factory, 9th Mile Corner Enugu State Nigeria were conducted. The heavy metals assessed were lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Arsenic (As). For RIMCO the mean range values recorded for lead, zinc, iron and copper were (14.38 ± 0.17 - 16.73 ± 0.31 mg/l), (0.54 ± 0.02 - 0.64 ± 0.03 mg/l), 4.36 ± 0.15 - 9.38 ± 0.10 mg/l), (0.18 ± 0.03 - 0.47 ± 0.04 mg/l) respectively. While for NBL (13.93 ± 0.00 - 17.00 ± 0.36 mg/l) was recorded for lead, zinc, (0.55 ± 0.01 - 0.92 ± 0.02 mg/l), iron (2.90 ± 0.12 - 6.14 ± 0.11 mg/l), copper (0.00 ± 0.00 - 0.24 ± 0.02 mg/l). Arsenic was notably absent in the effluents from both industries. Significant (P < 0.05) variation was observed for each of the parameters at the various sampling points. The concentration of these parameters reflects the effluent quality. But for lead and iron which was high all the mean values of the other heavy metals were generally within acceptable limits, based on the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) standards for such effluents. However, the presence of lead is noteworthy due to its public health implications. Thus, there is need for strict adherence to environmental quality standards for municipal and industrial effluents.
