Abstract
This research aimed to assess the surface water of Onuiyieke River to ascertain its quality status. Measurements were made on samples collected from seven locations with 500ml sample bottles according to standard methods. Samples for heavy metals were collected in 250ml bottle and fixed with concentrated HN03. Descriptive analysis, variation plots, ANOVA, Duncan Multiple Range tests, Principal Components Analysis (PCA), Pearson Correlation (r) and Water Quality Index (WQI) were used to analyze data. Mean values of the parameters obtained were: Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 198.19 ± 80.93mg/L; Electrical Conductivity (EC) 331.81 ± 59.78µ; Turbidity 18.84 ± 2.22 NTU; Nitrate ions 14.77 ± 0.92mg/L; Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 6.58 ± O.22mg/L and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 1.77 ± 0.10mg/L. Mean values of the Trace Metals obtained were: Iron (Fe) 1.93 ± 0.23mg/L; Magnesium (Mg)0.22 ± 0.02mg/L and Calcium (Ca) 15.15 ± 1.87mg/L while the mean value of Faecal Coliform was 1.91 ± O.10MPN/100. pH, EC, TSS, BOD, turbidity, N03-, Ammonia, Fe and Faecal coliforms exceeded the NESREA and WHO maximum permissible limits. There were significant spatial differences in levels of TDS, EC, NO3, NH3, DO and Faecal coliforms (Sig F=0.000 to 0.039) and significant temporal differences in levels of PO43- (Sig F= 0.078 to 1000) between the control and other locations at p<0.05. Four Principal Components (PCs) formed the extraction solution with a cumulative percentage variability of about 77.67%. The Water Quality Index revealed that the rating for the water quality across the sampling locations was between excellent and unsuitable. Appropriate monitoring procedures for the sustainable development of the river should also be put in place.
Highlights
Water is necessary to live, essential for socio-economic development and maintenance of healthy ecosystems and is useful for industrial, domestic and recreational purposes [1]
From the analysis of available data, the major findings of this research are as follows: The physical, chemical and biological characteristics of a water body are important in the determination of its productive capacity and effect on the biota
The high temperature recorded in SL 5 and 6 when compared to the control location SL 1 might be as a result of agricultural inputs from downstream nearby
Summary
Water is necessary to live, essential for socio-economic development and maintenance of healthy ecosystems and is useful for industrial, domestic and recreational purposes [1]. Plants and animals require water and cannot survive if their water is loaded with toxic chemicals or harmful microorganisms [2]. Polluted water can kill large numbers of fish, birds, and in some cases, all members of a species in an affected area. Water quality is evaluated relative to its intended use [3]. The term "water pollution" can be defined as the deterioration in the chemical, physical and biological properties of water resulting from humans and their activities [4]. Increasing the human population, industrialization, intensive agricultural practices and discharges of wastewater into rivers and streams have resulted in deterioration of water quality [5]
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