Abstract
The water quality of the Okomu Wetland was evaluated using the Water Quality Index (WQI) technique which provides a number that expresses overall water quality of a water body or water sample at a particular time. Sampling of physicochemical parameters spanned two years covering the wet and dry seasons and the water quality data were obtained from 10 sampling locations; Ponds 36, 52, 54, 61, 64, 90, 94, Arhakhuan Stream, Okomu River (Agekpukpu) and Okomu River (Iron bridge) all within the Okomu National Park. Parameters such as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Turbidity, pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Chlorine (Cl), Nitrate (NO3), Sulphate (SO4), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), (Iron) Fe, Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), and Nikel (Ni) were used to compute WQI and the values obtained for the wetland ranged between 34.36 and 167.28. The Index shows that pond 36, 52 and 54 are unfit for drinking with values between 103.86 and 167.28; ponds 61 and 64 are of the very poor quality category with WQI values of 95.19 and 92.44 respectively, Pond 90, pond 94, Arhakhuan Stream and Okomu River (Agekpukpu) are of poor quality and WQI values between and 53.58 and 73.15. Whereas, the Okomu River (Iron bridge) is within the good water quality (34.36) category. The Okomu River by Iron bridge is of good quality rating while other sampled points were of poor, very poor or unfit for drinking though these water bodies are mostly free from anthropogenic activities because of the conservative status of the study area. A major source of pollution within the wetland is surface runoff. The water quality of the wetland may not be suitable for man’s consumption especially pond water which are majorly impacted by runoff, yet very important for the survival and sustenance of the forest animals and plants. The water quality index (WQI) interprets physicochemical characteristics of water by providing a value which expresses the overall water quality and thus, reveals possible pollution problems of a water body. It turns complex water quality data into information that is easily understandable and usable by scientists, researchers and the general public.
Highlights
Water quality may be assessed based on physicochemical properties of water (Venkatesharaju et al, 2010, WHO, 2012; Ukenye and Taiwo, 2019)
The present study aims at providing a simple interpretation of the water quality of the Okomu wetland using the water quality index (WQI)
Higher turbidity values were recorded in Ponds than Stream and River
Summary
Water quality may be assessed based on physicochemical properties of water (Venkatesharaju et al, 2010, WHO, 2012; Ukenye and Taiwo, 2019). Water is vital for all life processes and results in ecosystems which include springs, lakes, rivers, wetlands and other aquatic ecosystems (WHO, 2000; Ukenye and Taiwo 2019) Among these ecosystems, wetlands are exceptional having high biodiversity and offer a wide range of ecosystem services including providing habitat for many endangered species, conservation of biodiversity, aquifer discharge and flood control, fish and food production, carbon storage (Barbier et al, 1997; Uluocha and Okeke, 2004; MEA, 2005; Asibor, 2009). The Okomu National Park formerly known as the Okomu Forest Reserve is rich and unique in its biodiversity and provides habitat to many endangered species including mammals, birds, amphibians and insects amongst others (Oates, 1995; Ogbeibu and Egborge, 1995; Aremu et al, 2012) It was of great conservation concern because of threatening deforestation through commercial logging, large scale plantation agriculture and communal farming (Ogbeibu and Victor, 1995). The present study aims at providing a simple interpretation of the water quality of the Okomu wetland using the water quality index (WQI)
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