Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Hydrogen Ion concentration and Transparency Conditions in the Upper Nun River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Temperature, dissolved oxygen, hydrogen ion concentration and transparency conditions of the Upper Nun River, Niger Delta, Nigeria was studied for a period of one year (January-December, 2010). Temperature values ranged from 24 °C (July) to 32 °C (March). Dissolved oxygen values ranged from 6 mg/L(January, April, July and October) to 10 mg/L (September). pH values ranged from 6.1 m (August) to 8.5 m (November) and transparency values ranged from 16.67 cm (August) to 48.68 cm (March). The mean values of temperature ranged from 27.3± 0.24 °C (Station 1) to 33.7± 0.21 °C (Station 3). Dissolved oxygen ranged from 3.2±0.1 mg/L (Station 3) to 7.3± 0.1 mg/L (Station 1). pH ranged from 7.3± 0.17 m (Station 1) to 7.7± 0.14 m (Station 3) and transparency ranged from 32.11± 3.28 cm (Station 1) to 35.10± 3.21cm (Station 3). There was no significant difference in transparency and pH between stations, but dissolved oxygen and temperature showed significant difference between stations (P< 0.05). The results from the correlation matrix analysis showed significant correlation between the variables at different stations. The associations between environmental variables were generally similar because the water of the stations was seemingly from the same source. Positive association was noticed indicating functional similarity. The varying magnitude of the relationship between the water variables in Upper Nun River of the Niger Delta area was attributed to micro habit difference.

Key Words: Physico-chemical parameters, assessment, health status, Nun River, Niger Delta