Vol. 3, Issue 7, Part A (2017)

Abstract
Studies on Impacts of Coastal Activities on Benthic Sediments from Qua Iboe River Estuary, South-South, Nigeria Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques was conducted between May 2015 and April 2016 with the aim of Understanding the current sources of contaminants concentration in the system and provide a model which allows policy-makers and local actors to design programs and policies to improve the existing practices and mitigate future problems. Sediment samples were collected monthly in five stations along the estuary and analyzed using standard procedures. Mean values of trace metals and other contaminants in sediment for wet and dry seasons were as follows: Cadmium (0.17±0.08 and 0.22±0.09 mg/kg), Chromium (0.32±0.17 and 0.30±0.14 mg/kg), Copper (1.25±0.31 and 1.29±0.33 mg/kg), Iron (124.39±31.21 and 119.37±30.58 mg/kg), Lead (0.55±0.14 and 0.56±0.0.15 mg/kg), Zinc (16.73±4.89 and 16.88±4.64 mg/kg), Total Hydrocarbon content (4.76±1.22 and 4.61±1.18 mg/kg), Total Organic Carbon (1.10±0.26 and 1.83±0.45 mg/kg) respectively. Vanadium, arsenic and cobalt were below detectable limits in the sediments. Trace metals concentrations in sediments were below the DPR target / intervention limit exception of iron. Analysis of variance and paired sample t-test revealed significant (p = 0.05) seasonal variations respectively. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships amongst metal pairs. Multivariate analytical techniques (HCA and Time series analysis) imprinted that the estuary is a continuum in environmental block swayed by multiple contamination sources. However, the series of activities evident, coupled with the findings of this study further vindicate the need for proper monitoring and management of our indigenous water bodies.