Seasonal variations in dissolved heavy metals in Pompom River,Itakpe,Nigeria

Seasonal variations in dissolved heavy metals cadmium (cd),copper (cu),nickle (ni),lead (pb),and zinc (zn) in pompom river,flowing across itakpe iron mine,nigeria,was studied using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (faas). precision for the determination of heavy metals in water ranged 3-16 % and recovery studies gave 79-104 %. the average concentrations in the dry and rainy seasons for heavy metals in pompom river were 0.03±0.003,0.05±0.002,0.01±0.002,0.01 ±0.001 and 0.04±0.002 mg/l for cd,cu,ni,pb and zn,respectively. seasonal variation showed metallic levels in water to be higher during the rainy season than dry season. cu,ni,pb and zn metallic levels of the studied metals were within the values of federal environmental protection agency (fepa) of nigeria and who permissible guidelines for drinking water.