Speciation and Potential Mobility of Lead and Cadmium in Sediments of River Jama’are, Bauchi State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1018-5887Keywords:
Metal speciation, Mobility factor, River Jama’are, Sediment, Sequential extractionAbstract
The speciation and potential mobility of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in sediments are important for assessing their environmental behaviour and potential remobilization. This study investigated the geochemical fractionation and potential mobility of Pb and Cd in sediments of River Jama’are, Bauchi State, Nigeria, using sequential extraction and mobility-factor assessment. A single composite sediment sample formed from five sampling points was fractionated into exchangeable, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions, and Pb and Cd concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Both metals were predominantly associated with the residual fraction, followed by the reducible, exchangeable, and oxidizable fractions, indicating relatively stable retention within the sediment. However, their occurrence in non-residual fractions indicated potential susceptibility to remobilization under changing environmental conditions. The mobility factors of Pb and Cd were 19.5% and 19.6%, respectively, classifying both metals as presenting medium potential mobility risk. The comparable mobility factors suggest similar potential mobility despite differences in their fractionation patterns. Overall, River Jama’are sediments may function as relatively stable sinks for Pb and Cd under prevailing conditions but could become secondary sources if environmental conditions promote remobilization. Continued monitoring of metal speciation and relevant sediment physicochemical properties is recommended to improve assessment of their long-term environmental behaviour.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sani Garba, Ibrahim Salihu Yunusa, Isah Suleiman, Babangida Muhammad Lele, Mohammed Sani Yakubu
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