Determination of some physico-chemical parameters of sediments from Ethiope River, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The physico – chemical properties of sediments collected from River Ethiope, Delta State, Nigeria were examined. Sediments were collected from eight sampling locations along the river which are Umutu 1, Umutu 2, Abraka 1, Abraka 2, Eku (Igun) 1, Eku (Igun) 2, Sapele 1, Sapele 2. pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium were examined. Findings from this study revealed that pH ranged from 6.07 ± 0.00 to 8.73 ± 0.00; electrical conductivity 27.90 ± 0.00 to 110.05 ± 0.01μS/cm; temperature ranged from 28.60 ± 0.01 to 29.80 ± 0.01; total phosphorus 0.020 ± 0.00 to 0.163 ± 0.00; TOC range from 0.50 ± 0.02 to 8.80 ± 0.00%; total nitrogen 0.004 ± 0.00 to 0.030 ± 0.01; Potassium 0.69 ± 0.07 to 5.18 ± 0.02mg/kg; calcium 1.92 ± 0.01 to 7.88 ± 0.0 mg/kg, and magnesium 5.05 ± 0.01 to 12.32 ± 0.01 mg/kg. The results of the present investigations suggest that the present increasing pollution load resulting from rapid industrialization along the Sapele axis may not have affected sediments, but maylead to subsequent effects in the aquatic environment. The experimental data suggests a need to start implementing common objectives, compatible policies and programmes to discourage the discharge of untreated effluent into rivers and also for improvement in the industrial and domestic waste water treatment methods.

Running Title: Determination of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Sediments from Delta State

Keywords: Determination, Physical, Chemical, Properties, Sediment, River Ethiope