Evaluation of physicochemical parameters in wastewater from Muhammad Ayuba dam in Kazaure, Jigawa state, Nigeria

Abstract

Evaluation of physicochemical parameters namely alkalinity, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), hardness, pH and total dissolved solids (TDS) in the wastewater samples collected from Muhammad Ayuba dam in Kazaure, Nigeria. The study was conducted during harmattan season for a period of three months from November, 2019 – January, 2020. All the parameters were analysed using conventional methods. The results showed their concentrations were in the range of 1.00 – 1.50 mg/L for alkalinity, 3.00 – 3.45 mg/L for BOD, 12.45 – 24.00 mg/L for COD, 745 – 1200 µS/cm for conductivity, 5.50 – 6.30 mg/L for DO, 1.82 – 2.45 mg/L for hardness, 7.20 – 7.90 for pH and 410 – 440 mg/L for TDS. The concentrations of these parameters in the wastewater were observed less than World Health Organization (WHO) tolerance limits with exception of electrical conductivity that was above 1000 µS/cm after four weeks of investigation. This study revealed gradual build-up of various ions in the dam water due to the mixing of contaminated wastewater from the adjacent community. Therefore, the periodical monitoring of different physicochemical parameters of the dam water should put in place as to evaluate their environmental impacts and possible potential risks.