Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the distribution of iodine and goitrogens in two selected rivers: Adada and Akoru in Enugu Sate, Nigeria. Iodine concentrations were found to be 0.109±0.001 and 0.108±0.001 ppm, respectively in both water bodies. The evaluated environmental goitrogens were as follows in Adada and Akoru Rivers: Calcium 109.333±16.0 and 74.667±7.67 ppm; sulphate 33.400±7.40 and 65.000±2.60 ppm; chloride 183.000±13.20 and 257.7±14.30 ppm; potassium 0.733±0.02 and 0.733±0.02 ppm; nitrate 6.000±1.00 and 6.000±1.00 ppm; copper 3.455±0.46 and 2.792±1.35 ppm; phosphate 3.067±1.30 and 0.267±0.07 ppm; manganese 0.692±0.20 and 0.513±0.08 ppm; iron 0.476±0.05 and 0.181±0.01 ppm; magnesium 0.085±0.02 and 0.085±0.02 ppm, respectively. High values of these goitrogens in both rivers could be attributed to the high salt level of the two water bodies. Considering the iodine and goitrogen ratio in both Adada and Akoru rivers, the two water bodies would be a good source of iodine for the population and fresh water bodies that are dependent on them.
Key words: Adada River, Akoru River, iodine, goitrogens, hardness, acidity, pH.
