Analyzes of Physico-chemical Parameters of Surface Waters from Ogunpa River, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Physico-chemical indices of waters from Ogunpa River were examined for locational differences; seasonal variation; and to know if gradient effect is associated with the pollution dynamics. Data obtained were analyzed and compared with WHO thresholds for those parameters in water. Test results gave the following mean values viz:-Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 226.81mg/L, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 278.14 mg/L, Temperature (TºC) 27.18ºC, pH 7.57, Electrical Conductivity (EC) 191.28 µs/cm, Sulphate (SO42-) 0.03 mg/L, Phosphate (PO42-) 0.03 mg/L, Nitrate (NO3-) 0.02 mg/L, Chloride(Cl-)  0.03 mg/L, Total Hardness (TH) 185.71mg/L, Alkalinity (Alk) 180.14 mg/L, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 8.60 mg/L, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 0.59 mg/L and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 109.89 mg/L. Variation arising from locations and seasonal effects were analyzed using ANOVA at P<0.05 and the outcome presented no seasonal variation in all the parameters except for Cl-, TH, Alk, and COD. Also no significant variation between the test locations except for PO42 and BOD. When compared to WHO recommended limits, values obtained were generally lower except for TH and COD that were above. It is concluded that  surface waters from Ogunpa River, at the time of study, is within the recommended WHO values for normal survival and living of aquatic organisms.