Spatio-seasonal physico-chemistry of Aiba stream, Iwo, Nigeria

Abstract

Seasonal variation of some physico-chemical parameters of Aiba stream at four locations was assessed in this study. Over the years, the stream has been subjected to various human interferences and water quality was getting deteriorated gradually. Major anthropogenic activities practiced in and around the river are as follows: irrigation activities, car wash, artificial pond, washing cloths and utensils, spiritual bathing, discharge of domestic waste etc. All these constitute serious threat to the aquatic biota and thereby alter the physico-chemical and biological concentration of the river. The physico-chemical parameters were determined using parameters were determined using standard literature methods. The pH, water temperature, sulphate, phosphate, total alkalinity/bicarbonate levels indicate moderate quality of water. Electrical conductivity was above the maximum allowable limit in dry season. Dissolved oxygen and nitrate levels were slightly above maximum allowable limit for aquatic biota. Biological oxygen demand (BOD) level indicates the absence of major organic pollution sources. The t-test calculated for seasonal variation shows that, of all the parameters studied, only temperature was significant at P < 0.05. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for all the locations revealed that all the parameters studies were not significant at P < 0.05. The nutrient levels in the river system is a warning signal of eutrophication, hence the pollution level has to be checked. It is therefore recommended that periodical assessment of both physico-chemical and microbial analysis of the area should be carried out, as this would be helpful in early detection of any future degradation. Keywords : Water quality, nutrients, Aiba stream, physico-chemistry, pollution African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(14), pp. 1630-1635