Contaminant Transport in the Alluvial Sediments of River Gbako Flood Plains around Baddegi, Central Bida Basin, Nigeria

Abstract

Contaminant transport in the alluvial sediments of River Gbako flood plains around Baddegi, central Bida Basin, Nigeria was investigated to know the contaminant transport in sediments of the catchment flood plain around Baddegi. Four sampling pits, TR-1, TR-2, TR-3 and TR-4, were dug for the purpose of lithological studies and sediment sampling. Particle sizes analysis of the sediments shows sand dominated sediment with more than 50 per cent sand composition and small percentage of clay and silt. The sediments are young owing to the non-profile development in them. All the sediments collected in the catchment domain were acidic with a mean pH of 4.69 controlling other geochemical processes in the area. Partition coefficient values indicated the metals are compactible and preferentially accepted by the minerals with most of the coefficient values greater than one, Di > 1. Velocity of the metals in the sediment horizons is slower relative to the velocity of the water percolating through the sediment indicating retardation and possible mechanisms behind attenuation and groundwater purification in the area. Overall, partition coefficients are important parameters in assessing the potential impacts from metal contaminated soils.