Seasonal variation in bacterial heavy metal biosorption in water samples from Eziama river near soap and brewery industries and the environmental health implications

Seasonal variation in bacterial heavy metals biosorption from soap and brewery industrial effluent samples from Eziama River in Abia State were analyzed for Pb, Hg, Fe, Zn, As, and Mn, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Bioaccumulation of the metals by bacteria showed the following trend > Fe >Zn >As > Pb > Mn (Rainy Season) and Zn > Fe > Mn > As > Hg > Pb (Dry season). Statistical analysis using of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences in concentrations of Pb, Hg, Fe, Zn, As, and Mn level between the sampling zones at Eziama River. Seasonal changes in heavy metal concentrations, showed increases in Pb, Fe, and As from 1.32 x 105 mg/ L in the rainy season to 1.42 x 105 mg/L in the dry season. Fe increased from 40.35 x 105 mg/L to 42.1 x 105 mg/L, while As increased from 2.32 to 2.48 x 105 mg/L with a net increases of +56 and + 69 x 105 mg/L respectively. However, Hg, Zn, and Mn concentrations decreased in the rainy season from 40.54 x 105 mg/L to 39.24 x 105 mg/L, 1.65 to 0.62 x 105 mg/L respectively.