NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
Journal of the Faculties of Science and Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

ISSN: 1119-9008
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE
Email: njse@universityjournals.org


WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF RIVER NIGER AT ASABA/ ONITSHA AXIS, NIGERIA

DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE.17.146.1   |   Article Number: 780CAA5621   |   Vol.15 (1) - November 2017

Authors:  Osakwe Anapuwa Stephen and Asuquo Unwanaobong Ignatius

Keywords: Heavy metals, Water quality, River Niger, physicochemical properties, Asaba/Onitsha axis

The concentrations of heavy metals and selected water quality parameters of River Niger at Asaba/Onitsha axis were investigated during both dry and wet seasons in order to assess the water quality of the river. For the physicochemical properties of the water samples, the mean values ranged from 7.13 to 8.15 for pH, 227 to 749/cm for electrical conductivity, 132 to 430 mg/L for total dissolved solids and 12.3 to 13.9 mg/L for total suspended solids. The other physicochemical properties were in the ranges of (mg/L) 101 to 144, 0.06 to 0.20, 1.16 to 1.46, 6.79 to 8.48, 13.02 to 21.37 and 19.4 to 32.68 for chloride, nitrates suphate, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand, respectively. The metal levels ranged from (mg/L) 6.15 to 7.69 for Fe, 0.73 to 1.15 for Zn, 0.12 to 0.22 for Cu, 0.15 to 0.02 for Mn, 0.16 to 0.22 for Ni, 0.04 to 0.06 for Cr, 0.17 to 0.26 for V, and 0.04 to 0.08 for Pb. The t-test analysis of the results revealed that there are significant variations in the values obtained for dry and wet seasons. The dry season values showed generally higher level of pollution loads. Some of the physicochemical parameters and almost all the metals investigated, showed values above Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)  and world Health Organization (WHO) permissible standard values. The extremely high values obtained for water quality index computation confirms that the River Niger water at Asaba/Onitsha axis is very unsuitable for drinking purposes.

Abeh, T., Gungshik, J. and Adamu, M.M. (2007). Speciation studies of trace element levels in sediments from Zaramaganda stream in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. J. Chem. Soc. Niger., 32(2):218-225.

Akaahan, T.J.A., Olabanji, F.M and Azua E.T. (2015). Studies on contamination of sataice waters of river Benue with trace elements at Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. J. Environ. Chem. Ecotoxicol., 7(5):49-55

Bandejo, A.A. Taiwo, A.O., Bada, B.S. and Adekunle, A.A. (2013). Groundwater quality assessment around municipal solid waste dumpsites in Abeokuta, South-west Nigeria. Pacific J. Sci. Technol. 14(1):593-603.

Egboh, S. H. O. and Emeshili, E. M. (2007). Physicochemical characteristics of River Ethiope Source in Umuaja, Delta State, Nigeria.  J. Chem. Soc. Niger., 32(2):72-76.

Egereonu, U.U. and Ochulor, N.C. (2007). Seasonal variation of pollution level in some wells in Enugu metropolis to ascertain causes of well failure. J. chem. Soc. Niger., 32(1):11-116.

Egereonu, U.U., Ukewe, L., Oti, S. and Egereonu, J.C. (2012). Investigation of pollution index of surface River catchment, Afikpo, Nigeria. J. Chem. Soc. Niger., 37(2):27-31.

Egeronu, U.U. and Dike, R. (2007). Evaluation of pollution levels of Orashi River and Oguta Lake Water. J. Chem. Soc. Niger., 32(1):159-166.

Emoyan, O.O., Akporhonor, E.E., Akpoborie, I.A. and Adiakpoh, E.O. (2006). Water quality assessemtn of river Ijana, Ekpan Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. J. Chem. Soc. Niger., 31 (1 and 2):154-160.

Farornbi. A.G, Adebayo, O.R., Olagunji, E.O. and Oyekanmi, A.M. (2014). Variation in abiotic conditions of water quality of River Osun, Osun State, Nigeria. Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol., 8(5):283-288.

Hong, AlL. I..aw, P1. and Selaman, O.S. (2014). Physicochemical quality assessment of pollutants in River Bernie water in Jimeta/Yola Metropolitan. Adamawa State North Eastern Niger. Am. J. Environ. Prot., 3(2):90-95.

Kaizer, N. and Osakwe, S. A (2010). Physiochemical characteristics and heavy metals levels in water samples from five river systems in Delta State, Nigeria. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manag. 14(1):83-87.

Krishan kumar, S., Logeshkumaran, A. Magesh, N.S. Godson, P.S and Chandrasekar, N. (2015). Hydro-geochemistry and application of water quality index (WQI) for groundwater quality assessment, Anna Nagar, part of Chennal City, Tamil Nadu, India. Appl. Water Sci, 5:335-343.

Magesh, N.S. Krishkumar, S., Chandrasekar, N. Soundranayagam, J.P. (2013). Groundwater quality assessment using WQI and GIS techniques, Dindigul district, Tamil, Nadc, India, Arab J. Geosciences, 6(11):4179- 4189.

Mitra, B.K. and ASABE Member (1998). Spatial and temporal variation of ground water quality in sand dune area of Aomoric Prefecture in Japan.

Nwajei, G.E., Obi-Iyeke, G.E. and Okwagi, P. (2011). Distribution of selected trace metals in fish parts form the River Niger, Nigeria. Res. J. Recent Sci., 1(1):81-84.

Oboh, I.P. and Edema, C.U. (2007). Levels of heavy metals in water and fishes from the River Niger, J. Chem. Soc. Niger. 32(2):29-34.

Olatunji, O.S. and Osibanjo, O. (2012). Determination of selected heavy metals in inland fresh water of lower River Niger drainage in North Centra Nigeria. Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol., 6(10):403-408.

Onojake, M.C., Sikoki, F.D., Omokheyeke, O. and Akpiri, R.U. (2015). Surface water characteristics and trace metals level of the Bonny/New Calabar River Estuary. Niger Delta, Nigeria. Appl Water Sci., DOT 10.1007/si 3201-015-03 06

Owamah, F.H (2013). Heavy Metals Determination and Assessment in a Petroleum Impacted River in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res.,135-139.

Rim-Rukeh, A. and Irerhievwie, G. (2012). Seasonal variability of nitrate pollution in drinking water resources in Niger  Delta Area, Nigeria. J. Chem. Soc. Niger., 37(2):59- 64.

SarathPrasanth, S.V., Magesh, N.S. Jitheshlal, K.V. and Chandrasekar, N. (2012). Evaluation of groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking and agricultural use in the coastal stretch of Alappuzha District, Kerala, India. Appl. Water Sci., 2(3):165-175.

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). (1983). Sampling handling and preservation. In: Metals for chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, EPA 600/4-79-020.

Virha R., Biswas, A.K., Kakaria, V.K., Qureshi TA., Borana, K. and Malik, N., (2011). Seasonal Variation in Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals in Water of Upper Lake of Bhopai. Bull. Environ. Contamination Toxicol.’, 86 (2):168-174

Walkley, A. and Black, l.A. (1934). An Examination of Degtjareff Method for Determination Soil Organic Matter and a Proposed Modification of the Chromic Acid Titration Method. Soil Sci., 37:29-3 7.

Wangboje, O.M. and Ikhuabe, A.J. (2015). Heavy metal content in fish and water from River Niger at Agenebode, Edo State, Nigeria. Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol., 9(3):210-217.

Wanklyn, J.A and Chapman, E.T. (1968). Water analysis: A practical Treatise on Examination o potable water. Truber and Co-London.

Webber, M.D. (1991). Resource recovery through unconventional uses of sludge. (Hall, H.E., ed). Pergamon Press, Oxford .pp 345-358,

WHO (2011). Guidelines for drinking water quality. Available (online) http://www.who.int/en.htlm.

Whorton, J. G. (2011). The Arsenic Century, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Zhu, W.G., Qin, B. Q., Zhang, L. and Luo, L. (2006). Geochemical forms of phosphorus in sediments of three large, shallow lakes of China. Pedosphere, 16:726-734.