Physicochemical Assessment of the Akpor Stretch of the New Calabar River, Port Harcourt: Implications for Water Safety and Public Health
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63561/jacsr.v2i4.1021Keywords:
Physicochemical Parameters, Heavy metals, New Calabar River, Assessment, Contamination FactorAbstract
This study investigates the physicochemical parameters and heavy metal levels in New Calabar River, Rivers State, Nigeria. Water, samples were collected from three different locations (Mgbuodahia, Ogbogoro and Rumuopkparali) in the akpor stretch of the (NCR). Physicochemical parameters were analysed using American Public Health Association, heavy metals by atomic absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The results of the analysis showed that of the physicochemical parameters in the dry season were in the following ranges: pH (6.55–9.40), Temperature (28.80 - 29.50) EC (980.17–2380.87 uµ/cm), BOD (24.73 - 96.77 mg/L), COD (12.02 - 24.06 mg/L), In the wet season the ranges were: pH (5.89 - 8.23), Temperature (27.81 - 28.35) EC (586.60 - 1751.62 uµ/cm ), BOD (18.13 - 72.00 mg/L), COD (7.31 - 18.47 mg/L) of these only (pH) was within the limits set by WHO. The dry concentrations in ranges of heavy metal in surface water recorded; Pb: 1.65±0.20 - 2.30±0.53; Fe: 10.48±0.28 - 2.42±0.11; Cr: 0.42±0.06 - 0.04±0.0, while in the wet season concentrations they were; Pb: 0.45±0.02 - 1.54±0.08; Fe: 7.23±0.29 -1.14±0.11; Cr: Nd - 0.11±0.02 mg/l. It was observed that Pb and Fe exceed the WHO threshed limit. Assessment based on contamination factor (CF) of the river water in the dry season occurred also in the following ranges between Pb: (165 – 230), Fe: (8.07 – 34.9), Cr: (0.8 -8.4), while in the wet season they were Pb: (85 – 154), Fe: (3.8 – 24.1), Cr: (ND – 2.2). The results indicate that Pb was above the WHO limit and contaminated the river water compared to the other metals thus, posing potential risks to aquatic life and human health. The CF analysis showed the river water was slightly contaminated. The results generally impede continuous monitoring to ensure that vital water resources, health safety and well-being of users and local communities are protected.
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