Heavy metals are synonymous with a group of metals and semi-metals that have been associated with pollution, contamination and toxicity. Rocks are one of the natural pools for heavy metals presence in the environment, which characterized Eyin-Osun River. This study is aimed at assessing the impacts of quarrying activities on physicochemical parameters and heavy metal components of Eyin-Osun. Heavy Metal assessment of Eyin-Osun River was carried out for four months at seven sampling stations (January- April) using the standard method of the American Public Health Association (APHA) for water analysis. Water samples were assessed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals contents. Temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate and ammonia as physical and chemical status, while heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The pH, temperature, and conductivity of the water were between 9.00 and 9.50, 26.5°C and 33.0°C, and 63.0uscm-1 and 1039.0uscm-1, respectively. The heavy metals were present in order of Fe (1.8)> Zn(0.15)>Cu (0.11) >Mn (0.014), while Cd, Cr, and Pb were not detected in all the water samples. The heavy metals were found to be within the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits except Fe, which was slightly higher. It is concluded that despite impacts of quarrying on heavy metal concentration in nearby water bodies, it is still below the permissible limit.
Key words: Freshwater, Quarry, Water quality
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