IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 13, Issue 3 Ser. II (March. 2019), PP 30-35 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2402-1303023035 www.iosrjournals.org 30 | Page Metal Survey of Surface Water in Parts of Odukpani, South- Eastern Nigeria Ella, Michael Owan 1 , Adamu, Christopher Iorfa 2 , Otobo, Solomon Abody 3 , Itang, Samuel Itang 4 Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 1, 2 Department of Geology, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa, Nigeria 3 Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 4 Corresponding Author: Ella, Michael Owan. Abstract: This study was aimed at assessing the concentration of some major elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca and Fe) and trace elements (Cu, Co, Pb and Zn) in surface water in Odukpani, South Eastern Nigeria; a developing area which has its habitants in direct contact with the stream channels and surface waters. The results show the mean pH level in surface water, in comparison to the World Health Organization and the Nigerian Industrial Standard values, alongside the total dissolved solids and the concentration of these elements in specific locations across the area. The concentrations of these elements in surface water can impose serious damage to the organisms in the streams and man, either through the food chain or direct contact with the water, if they exceed the World Health Organization’s standard ph levels. Thus, a detailed study is recommended to identify the exact source of metal contamination, in order to ascertain the occurrence of profitable deposits of Ca, Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn, also, measures should be put into place in order to monitor and mitigate the deleterious effects of these above-limit metals in the environment, especially lead which could lead to very serious health challenges to the inhabitants of the area. Keywords: Atomic Emission Spectrometer, Cross River, Lead, Metal Survey, Nigeria, Odukpani, South- Eastern Nigeria --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 27-02-2019 Date of acceptance:13-03-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Metal surveys can be carried out using water samples, soil samples, stream sediment samples as well as plants to estimate the distribution and concentration of selected metals (elements) in an area. For the purpose of this study, nine (9) surface water samples from streams in Odukpani, South Eastern Nigeria were analyzed for selected elements which include five (5) major elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca and Fe) and four (4) trace elements (Cu, Co, Pb and Zn) in order to determine their concentrations at different locations across the area (Table 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5), and compare these concentrations to the World health Organization and the Nigerian Industrial Standard water quality (Table 2). II. The Study Area The study area (Odukpani) is the capital of Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria (Fig. 1). It falls under the Calabar Flank located in the South Eastern Part of Nigeria, and lies between longitudes 8 o 15´00´´E and 8 o 25´00´´E and latitudes 5 o 055´00´´N and 5 o 15´00´´N, and is approximately 14 km 2 (Fig. 2). According to Ukpong, & Ekhalialu (2015), structurally, the Calabar Flank consists of basements horsts and grabens that aligned in a NW-SE direction like other South Atlantic marginal basin in West Africa. Sedimentation started in the Calabar Flank with the deposition of fluvio-deltaic clastics (the Awi Sandstone) of probably Aptain age on the Precambrian crystalline basement complex, the Oban Massif. This was followed by the first marine transgression in the Mid Albian which accounts for the deposition of the Mfamosing Limestone, particularly on the horst and relatively stable platform areas and their flanks. The Mfamosing Limestone is overlain by the thick sequence of black to grey shale unit, the Ekenkpon Formation. The formation is characterized by minor intercalation of marls; calcerous mudstone and oysters beds. This shale unit was deposited during the late Cenomarian-Turonian times. The Ekenkpon Shale is overlain by a thick marl unit; the New Netim Marl. The study area has a low relief, and the drainage system comprises streams which flow in a dendritic pattern into the Calabar River. The vegetation is that of tropical rainforest (Iloeje, 2001) and is characterized by a tropical climate with two distinct seasons which are the wet and dry season. The wet season starts from May to October while the dry season last from November to April. The average monthly temperature