Abstract
The physical and chemical characteristics of River Niger, Illushi an important fishing site in Edo State which is currently impacted by human activities, was investigated between the month of April and November, 2017. Surface water samples were collected from three (3) sampling stations covering a total distance of 2600metres from upstream to downstream, and a total of seventeen (17) physical/chemical parameters were investigated. Findingsfrom this study revealed that Air temperature had an average mean value of 27±0.72 mg/L, Water temperature was 26.21±0.63 mg/L, the river was generally acidic with the average pH of 6.27±0.18, Turbidity was 107.28±30.9, Conductivity was 57.08±8.29, Total Dissolved Solid was 34.9±4.78, Total Suspended Solid was 71.7±21.17 mg/L, Alkalinity was 26.62±4.78 mg/L, Chloride was 17.29±1.41 mg/L, Hardness was 26.81±2.59 mg/L, Phosphate was 2.20±0.09 mg/L, Nitrate was 3.19±0.94 mg/L, Sulphate was 25.81±10.78 mg/L, Calcium was 8.69±1.74 mg/L,Magnesium was 2.66±0.39 mg/L, Dissolved Oxygen was 4.47±0.46 mg/L and Biochemical Oxygen Demand was 7.29±3.25 mg/L. This study depicts that turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, air, and water temperature were higher than the recommended limit for drinkable water. It, therefore, stresses the need for compliance of environmental laws to prevent the river from further deterioration.Keywords: Surface water, physicochemical parameters, River Niger, Illushi.
Highlights
Water is one of the most essential compounds that enable the survival of living organisms on earth (Akpofure et al, 2007)
One of the most recent problems in developing countries like Nigeria is the shortage of clean water, in rural communities that rely on rivers as their main source of domestic water supply
The purpose of this study was to ascertain the level of anthropogenic influence on River Niger, Illushi, Edo State, Nigeria, by investigating the physical and chemical characteristics of its surface water, and provide baseline data on the water quality
Summary
Illushi lies between latitude 60 40ʹ 14.4ʺ and 60 40ʹ 26.9ʺ North, and Longitude 60 36ʹ 53.8ʺ and 60 37ʹ 49.3ʺ East. The climate of Illushi is tropical with the dry season running from November to April and it is usually marked with a cool harmattan dusty haze from the North East winds while the wet season runs from May to October with a brief dry spell in August. 1litre polyethylene bottles were used to collect water samples at 30 cm depth beneath the water surface according to the standard method (APHA, 2005). Prior to their use, the bottles were thoroughly washed and rinsed with deionized water. Inter-station comparison was done using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range (DMR) test was performed to determine the point of significant difference
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