Assessment of Physico-Chemical Parameters and Heavy Metal Levels in Waters of Upper Benue River, Adamawa State, Nigeria (original) (raw)

Assessment of physicochemical parameters and heavy metal levels in water was conducted in of Upper Benue River, Adamawa state, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from four different sites once a month in triplicate from May 2014-October 2015. Water physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, Dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and transparency were analysed at the sites while Alkalinity, BOD, free CO 2, ammonia, Total dissolved solids, Nitrate and phosphate were analysed in the laboratories. Heavy metals (Cd,Cr,Cu, Ni, Pb and Zinc) in the water samples were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Temperature ranged between 26.49-27.25 0 C and were within the recommended range. p H fluctuated between 7.48-7.62 and was also within the recommended range. The values obtained for electrical conductivity were typical for fresh water since it ranged from 71.13-93.76Us/cm. Transparency was high during the dry season which correspond to the general tendency of high transparency during the dry season. Dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand values obtained in this study are likely pointers to low pollution level being experienced in the river. The values of phosphate and Nitrates obtained were high and above recommended level. Alkalinity values ranged between 79.87-119.13mg/l, which is within the recommended limits and correlate with BOD. TDS obtained in the study were low. Free carbon-dioxide was low and within the recommended range for tropical water. The mean level profile of Heavy metals in water in all the sites with the exception of site B was Cu>Zn>Ni>Pb. Site B had this profile Cu>Zn>Pb>Ni. Copper and Zinc were the abundant metal in water. Higher level of metal was observed in the dry season. There was an uneven distribution of metal in water. Except Zinc, all the metals observed were not significantly different between sites and months.

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