Physicochemical characteristics of surface water from Idu Ogba River, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Idu Ogba River in Rivers State, Nigeria, was the subject of the investigation on the physicochemical properties of surface water. Acidity, alkalinity, chlorine, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate, phosphate, and sulphate were among the factors considered. Established standard procedures and characterizations were used to prepare three (3) samples of surface water collected in each of the three locations, and their results were analysed with mean and standard deviation. The mean observations for the various water quality parameters in the sampled are pH (5.31±0.18), alkalinity (16.47±0.21), chlorine (7.23±0.15 mg/l), turbidity (6.5±0.19 NUT), conductivity (122±2 μs/cm), TDS (94.48±3.59 mg/l), TSS (65.37±0.25 mg/l), BOD(10.61±0.14 mg/l), COD (51±1.11 mg/l), DO(3.47±0.06 mg/l), nitrate (6.286±0.040 mg/l), phosphate(0.513±0.0305 mg/l), and sulphate (9.4±0.2 mg/l). The physical and chemical properties of the surface water were found to be within WHO's permissible standards, indicating that they offer no possible risk to the residents of the area. The presence of elevated levels of BOD and COD in certain Idu Ogba River-evaluated sites shows the presence of both organic and inorganic pollutants. The nitrate concentration in the river was high, which could promote the growth of planktonic organisms and aquatic plants. The study also discovered lower amounts of phosphate and sulphate, which may have implications for the growth of particular microbial organisms and their role in the nutrient cycle.