Heavy Metal Contamination and Physiochemical Parameters of Water, Fishes and Sediments in Jos South Plateau State, North Central, Nigeria using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometer

Consumers health may be in danger if exposed to heavy metals, particularly in food. Water, biota, and sediments in and around abandoned mining ponds could be polluted with heavy metals which may impact the well-being of fish consumers from these ponds. This study aimed to determine the physiochemical parameters of water samples and the level of heavy metals in two abandoned mining ponds in Jerek community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from two ponds (Ponds 1 and 2) and analyzed to measure the concentrations of five heavy metals (Ni, Mn, Pb, Cd and Fe) using an XRF spectrometer (Model AA240FS). The results of the water quality assessment showed that the water samples in Pond 1 had a Pb and Cd contamination value of 2.2 mg/L and 2.0 mg/L respectively, which is above the WHO (World Health Organization) acceptable limit of 0.03 – 0.5mg/L, while Pond 2 had higher contamination of Pb (2.4mg/L) and Cd (2.6mg/L) which also are above the WHO acceptable limit. The catfish in pond 2 had the highest concentration of Cd (5.08mg/L) which signifies a toxic level of concentration when compared with (Federal Environmental Protection Agency) FEPA and WHO acceptable limit. The concentration levels in the sediment were high in Cd (1.55mg/L) in Pond 1 and Cd (1.703mg/L) in Pond 2 as compared to other heavy metals of interest. These values however fall within the WHO, 2018 and FAO, 2019 acceptable limits. The physiochemical properties: pH, Salinity, Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity, were all within the FEPA and WHO permissible limits. The study concludes that the fish from the selected ponds especially catfish are potentially harmful to consumers' health. Hence a need for regular monitoring and evaluation of water, sediments and fish in...