Application of Statistical principles to Evaluate the Pollution Status of the Otamiri River, around FUTO axis, Owerri, Imo State
Nnamdi Williams Nwofeigbo, Chinyere Caroline Amadi, Osita Christopher Okeke, Agidi Brenda, Kingsley Uzoma Onuegbu, Mmaduabuchi Michael Emeh
Abstract
This study evaluated the water quality of Otammiri River, near the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) community. Water samples obtained from three locations were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), conductivity, hardness, nitrates, phosphates, sodium and potassium, microbial contaminants such as fecal coliform and Total Klebsiella, Water Quality Index (WQI), and Pollution Indices{Geo-Accumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Index (CI), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The pH result shows that the Otamiri River water is acidic (pH 5.6) and not drinkable. All the other parameters like TDS, DO, and conductivity were within permissible limits. Metallic elements like copper (0.034 mg/L), sodium (0.22 mg/L), calcium (4.21 mg/L), magnesium (2.6 mg/L), and potassium (4.55 mg/L) were well below FMEnv tolerable levels. Microbial contaminants like Klebsiella and faecal coliform were 0.7CFU/100 ml and 0.00000237CFU/ml respectively at the three locations while Klebsiella was present in point 1 (0.7 CFU/100 ml) and absent in points 2 and 3), indicating fecal contamination and potential health hazards. Findings revealed WQI values of 185.01, 81.94, and 167.28 at Points 1, 2, and 3 respectively, classifying the water as poor to unsuitable for drinking. Phosphate was the greatest pollutant found, with Contamination Index value of 6.49 and Igeo value of 2.78, affirming moderate to strong pollution. On the other hand, metallic elements such as copper and sodium had Igeo values of below zero, showing no contamination by these metallic elements. Overall PLI of 0.306 confirmed that the river is unpolluted in terms of metallic elements and selected contaminants. Correlation of TDS and conductivity (r = 1.00), BOD and DO (r = 0.99), and calcium hardness with total hardness (r = 1.00) showed a good correlation with, indicati
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