Hydrochemical and Bacteriological Studies of Streams in Calabar South Local Government Area, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper presents the results of hydro-chemical and bacteriological analysis of water obtained from streams in Calabar South Local Government Area in Nigeria. Water samples were collected from five different streams in the local government area. The water samples were analysed for physic-chemical and bacteriological parameters. From the analytical results obtained, the different parameters tested were as follows: pH (3.81 – 5.35), TDS ( 2.28mg/l – 152.75mg/l), turbidity (0.12NTU – 44.07 NTU), DO ( 7.10mg/l – 10.40mg/l), BOD ( 0.35mg/l – 0.56mg/l), Fe (0.14mg/l – 0.91mg/l), Pb (0.03mg/l – 0.59mg/l), Zn (0.02mg/l – 0.87mg/l), Mn (0.76mg/l – 1.82mg/l), Cu (0.02mg/l – 0.18mg/l), THC (28 per 0.1 ml – 96 per 0.1ml), and total coliform count (23mg/l – 88 mg/l). Most of these parameters were highly objectionable for portable water sources. The bacteriological analysis showed isolation of specified bacterium from all the samples. It was observed that the water sources were quite unreliable for drinking when compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) Standards.