Background: This research examined the surface water ecotoxicological risk of untreated abattoir effluent discharged directly into nearby rivers that could result in likely damage to aquatic species. Objective: The study was aimed at evaluating the deleterious ecological effects resulting from discharge of abattoir effluent into surface waters of some selected rivers in Effurun metropolis, Delta State, Nigeria. Method: The American Public Health Association (APHA) standard protocol was used for testing the water quality in addition to the Surface Water Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment Matrix (SW-ERAM), which was used to evaluate the ecological effects. Results: The pH values ranged from 5.48±0.14 (Agbaroh river) to 6.76±0.18 (Agbaroh abattoir effluent) indicating a slightly acidic environment. The waters were moderately to highly turbid with values between 10±1 NTU and 196.11±9.0 NTU. Total suspended solids (TSS) were relatively high and varied from 14±1.0 (Ugbomro river -control) to 242±12 (Ekpan abattoir effluent). Besides the control, the water samples from all the locations showed high levels of total coliform bacteria. The risk level was rated high [5E or 25 (A, P, E)], which was designated as harmful and capable of affecting aquatic animals (A), plants (P) and the environment (E). Conclusion: The indication from this study is that continuous discharge of untreated abattoir effluent into surface waters may pose threat to aquatic species and human health.

Water resource contamination is a major concern in several regions, especially in the Niger Delta, in which the oil exploration activities pose serious risks to human health, water resource and the environment. This present study evaluates the properties of surface water in Nembe Creek. Surface water samples were collected from three (3) control stations and twenty-four (24) sampling stations around the creek during the wet and dry seasons. The samples were subjected to analysis following the standard operating procedures of ASTM and APHA analytical methods. The relationship between the parameters and variations of surface water quality of Nembe creek were determined by using descriptive statistics, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation analysis. The results indicated pH had a mean value of 6.67± 0.33 (wet season) and 7.21 ± 0.3 (dry season), Electrical Conductivity ranged 200 – 3950 µS/cm (wet season) and 17900 – 25800 µS/cm (dry season), DO ranged between 4.3 – 5.8 (wet season) and 3.9 – 5.6 (dry season), Nitrate had values of 0.007- 0.068 mg/L (wet season) and 0 – 0.007 mg/L (dry season), Sulphate values range 130.58- 158.76 mg/L (wet season) and 215.12 – 657.35 mg/L (dry season). Iron range 3.23 – 5.6 mg/L (wet season) and 0.26 – 7.87 mg/L (dry season), Zinc ranged 0.02 – 0.47 mg/L (wet season) and 0.13 – 2.22 mg/L (dry season). Across all sampling stations and control areas during the wet season, the values for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH), total hydrocarbon Content (THC) and Petroleum Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) were below the detection limit; however, the values varied during the dry season. The Pearson Correlation matrix revealed positive, negative and significant correlations between the pairs of parameters at 95% confidence level. Amongst the sampling and control stations, some parameters had no significant difference (p > 0.05), however some differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Nembe Creek is marginally more polluted during the dry season than during the wet season. Most parameters on the Person's Correlation matrix were connected with each other based on the metrics. However, some parameters such as metals, do not significantly correlate with one another, indicating that the sources of contamination may have originated from various places. It is possible that the source may not predominantly originate from oil exploration activities but may involve other natural, geological and anthropogenic activities.

Introduction: Safe drinking water is vital to all human and living organisms. Aim and Study Location: This study appraised untreated water within the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE) campus with a view to ascertaining their potability. Methodology: The samples were analyzed using the America Public Health Association (APHA), standard protocol Results: The pH indicated that the water were acidic with pH values from 3.50 ± 0.04 to 5.73 ± 0.08. Total iron exceeded the stipulated WHO limit of 0.3 mg/L in some of the locations with concentration varying from 0.232 ± 0.01 to 0.963 ± 0.04. The heavy metal load was relatively low and within regulatory limits. Conclusion: The study concluded that water should not be consumed without treatment due to the non-conforming parameters. In addition, waters with a non-conformance contributed by feacal coliform (E coli) or any other microbial entities should be avoided since serious health water-related diseases (cholera, typhoid, dysentery and diarrheal) may set if consumed.