Physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of surface water quality in part of Oban Massif, Nigeria

Abstract

The present study presents preliminary investigation on the physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of surface water samples collected, during the wet and dry seasons, from streams in Orem and environs, a typical Basement terrain in southeastern Nigeria. The intension was to evaluate the suitability of the water for domestic and agricultural uses. Results generally indicate normal water temperature, especially for the tropic; pH reflecting slightly acidic conditions; low EC and water hardness which respectively qualifies the water as excellent and soft; turbidity values that points to the water as a possible sources of water-borne diseases; DO values that are reasonable, to support good fish production, throughout the year; low levels of nutrients and heavy metals that pose no detrimental effect for the aquatic ecosystem; and low Salinity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) that reflects water of low mineralization. The major dissolved cations points to a possible geogenic source for the major ions, while the anion levels supports agricultural and anthropogenic pollutions. Values recorded during the dry season were frequently higher than those recorded during the wet season, possibly reflecting dilution and evaporation effects during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. With minor exceptions, the levels of almost all the tested parameters were within the respective permissible limits of the Nigerian standards for drinking water quality (NSDWQ). Among the exceptions in this regards, is the unacceptable and alarmingly high volume of bacteriological inputs recorded for the waters. Clearly, this renders the water unfit for consumption and various other usage, in its present form. ' E -8°50' E of the Greenwich meridian, and latitude 5°28' N -5°33 ' N of the equator. The relief of the area can best be classified as an elevated or high land. In terms of climate, the area

Seasonal assessment of the physico-chemical properties of surface water and sediments in the vicinity of a scrap metal recycling industry in Southwestern Nigeria

“…Least value for Mg 2+ 1.24 ± 0.55 mg/L occurred in the river during the wet season (Table 2). Higher levels of Cland NO 3 in the dry season than in wet season is probably due to dilution effect, and demonstrate an increase in the discharge of the respective components into the water body with time (Ugbaja and Ephraim, 2019).…”

“…According to Ugbaja and Ephraim (2019) the acidic nature of the water samples is a possible reflection of the presence of high levels of free CO 2 in the waters. An important problem associated with acidic nature of surface water is that these water favour the mobility of non-biodegradable and hazardous trace elements within them (Ephraim and Ajayi, 2015).…”

“…There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the values of TDS across the water bodies, while there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in values of DO and BOD across the water bodies (Table 2). Higher value of TDS in dry season is possibly caused by greater water evaporation often encountered during dry season (Ugbaja and Ephraim, 2019). High TDS value is also indicative of hard water and the presence of toxic minerals which emanated from some dissolved solids of organic origin (Iyama et al, 2019).…”

Quality of Potable Water Available to the Residents of Anambra State, Nigeria

“…The low conductivity values could be due to poor and rather insoluble geologic rock and mineral types [65]. Total suspended solids TSS of the water samples from all communities in the three Local Areas were all above NSDWQ standard of 0.01 mg/L [66] and showed TSS range/average of 0.34 -0.68 mg/L (0.50 mg/L), 0.36 -0.68 mg/L (0.52 mg/L) and 0.14 -2.04 mg/L (0.72 mg/L) for Awka South, Anaocha and Awka North respectively. The result of the elemental analyses (Tables 4-6) showed that the concentrations of lead and arsenic in water samples from communities in Awka South were all above the WHO standard of 0.01 mg/L [62] [63], except samples from St Joseph Umuawulu, GMG Nibo, Ngodo Nise and St John Nise where lead and arsenic were absent.…”

Physico-chemical and heavy metals analysis of drinking water and their effect on human health: A Review

“…Human being uses this supply as wellspring of irrigation, domestic water [2]. The increased rate of urbanization and industrialization has been threatened the quality of water available for living organisms [3]. Water Quality Index is a tool which tells the standard and level of drinking water [1].…”