Abstract

Mineral and elemental compositions of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments from Great Kwa, Calabar, Cross River, Imo, and Qua Iboe Rivers in the Southeastern part of Nigeria were assessed in this study. SPM samples were obtained by the collection of water samples from the studied Rivers, passing the water through dried and weighed Whatman fiberglass filters and the sediments obtained were dried to a constant weight. Bottom sediments were obtained using Van Veen Grab sampler, transported to the laboratory, and air-dried at room temperature for seven days. These samples were subjected to Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD),and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). EDX analysis revealed that, high levels of Si and Al were common for all the studied samples. Silicate mineral was observed in all the sediments. XRD revealed that Quartz, clays, micas, hornblende, potassium-feldspars and mafics were the major minerals in the SPM and sediments. Quartz, gypsum and gibbsite minerals higher during the high than in low tide. Zircon, amphibole, pyroxene, biotite, pyrite, and iron hydroxide were idenfied by SEM in the samples.The mineral and elemental compositions of SPM and sediments from the studied rivers revealed and the pollution status established.

Keywords: Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis,X-ray diffraction analysis,Scanning electron microscope, Water pollution, Mineralogical study, SoutheasternNigeria