Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD
📄 Download Paper

Physico-Chemical Parameters of Water in Okpoka Creek Upper Reaches of Bonny Estuary, Rivers State, Nigeria

Atemie, B. O, ., Deekae, S.N, ., and George, A.D.I

Abstract

This study assessed the physico-chemical parameters of water in Okpoka Creek, Upper Bonny Estuary, Rivers State, Nigeria, with the aim of evaluating the water quality status of the creek in relation to increasing anthropogenic activities. The creek is exposed to various human activities including dredging, sand mining, waste disposal, boat transportation, washing, and sewage discharge, which may adversely affect aquatic life and ecosystem stability. Four sampling stations namely Amadi, Fiemie, Abuloma, and Okuru were selected for the study. Water samples were collected monthly and analyzed for temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids , and biological oxygen demand using standard procedures and laboratory methods. Statistical analysis was carried out using one- way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD at 95% confidence level. Results showed that temperature ranged from 29.30–31.40°C, while pH ranged from 4.40–8.94. Turbidity varied between 3.06 and 20.76 NTU, DO ranged from 7.31–8.13 mg/L, and BOD ranged from 4.02–12.60 mg/L. Salinity, EC, and TDS also showed moderate variations among stations and months. Seasonal fluctuations influenced most parameters, with higher turbidity and BOD values observed during the rainy season. However, there were no significant spatial differences among the stations. The findings indicate that Okpoka Creek is moderately impacted by human activities, though most parameters remained within tolerable limits for aquatic organisms. Continuous monitoring and proper environmental management are recommended to prevent further deterioration of the creek ecosystem.

Keywords

Okpoka CreekPhysico-chemical parametersAnthropogenic activities

References

Abowei, J. F. N., Tawari, C. C. & Davies, O. A. (2008). Zooplankton of lower Sombreiro River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries International, 3(4): 105-111. Aiyesanmi A.F, Ipinmoroti K.O, and Adeeyinwo C.E. (2006). Baseline Water Quality Status of Rivers Within Okitipupa Southeast Belt of the Bituminous Sands Field of Nigeria. Nigerian. Journal of Science, 40: 62-71. Ali, F. M., Abdus–Salam, B. A., Ahmad, K. S., Qamar, M. & Umer, K. (2004). Seasonal variations of physico – chemical characteristics of River Soan water at Dhoak Pathan bridge (Chakwal), Pak. 1: 89 – 92. APHA, (2012).Standard methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater. (22nd Edition) APHA, AWWA, WPCF, Washington DC USA. Boyd, C. E, Tucker C.S. (1998). Pond Aquaculture Water Quality Management, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, MA, USA, 1998, 700. Chindah A. C. (2004). Response of periphyton community to salinity gradient in tropical estuary, Niger Delta. Polish Journal Ecology, 52(1): 83-89. Chindah, A. C & Nduaguibe, U. (2003). Effect of tank farm wastewater on water quality and periphyton of Lower Bonny River Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Nig. Env. Soc., 1(2): 206 – 222. Chukwu, O. (2008). Analysis of ground water pollutant from Abbatoir Waste in Minna, Nigeria. Research Journal of Diary Science. 3, 74-77. Davies, O. A & Otene, B. B. (2009). Zooplankton Community of Minichinda Stream, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. European Journal of Scientific Research, 26,4, 490-498. Davies, O. A. & Jaja, E. T. (2014). Comparative Studies of the Plankton, Epiphyton and Nutrients Status of a Perturbed Creek, Niger Delta. Journal of Advanced & Applied Sciences, , 2 (2): 34-71. Davies, O. A. & Ugwumba, O. A. (2013a). Tidal influence on nutrient status and phytoplankton population of Okpoka Creek, Upper Bonny Estuary, Nigeria. Journal of Marine Biology, 1 -16. doi.org/10.1155/2013/684739 Davies, O. A. (2008). Physico-chemical parameters, plankton, epiphyton and finfish assemblages of Okpoka Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Ibadan. 310. Davies, O. A. (2013). Seasonal variation of the physico-chemistry quality of a tributary of Trans- Amadi Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries International, 3(3):91-97. Davies, O. A. (2014). Tidal influence on the physico-chemistry quality of Okpoka Creek, Nigeria. International Journal of Biological Sciences and Applications, 1(3):113-123. Davies, O. A., Abolude, D.S. & Ugwumba, A. A. A. (2008). Phytoplankton of the lower reaches of Okpoka Creek, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries International, 3(3):83-90. Eke, I.B. & Sikoki, F.D. (2003). The state and seasonal sariability of some physiochemical parameters in the new Calabar river, Nigeria. Acta Hydrobiolgia, 5, 45-60. Ekubo, A. A & Abowei, J. F. N. (2011). Review of some water quality management principles in culture fisheries, Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology. 3(2):1342-1357. Fakayode, S.O. (2005) Impact Assessment of Industrial Effluent on Water Quality of the Receiving Alaroriver in Ibadan Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Assessment and Management, 10: 1-13. Hart, A. I. & Zabbey, N. (2005). Physico-chemistry and benthic fauna of Woji Creek in the Lower Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environment and Ecology 23(2):361 – 368. Osore, M. K. W., Fiers, F. & Daro, M. H. (2003). Copepod composition, abundance and diversity in Makupa Creek, Mombasa, Kenya. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science, 2: 65-73. Rao, S. N., Chabeg, R and Srinivasan, K.V. (1990). Ganga water quality in Bihar, India. J. Environ Health. 52:393-400. Razouls, C., de Bovee, F., Kouwenberg, J. & Desreumaux, N. (2005-20012). Diversity and geographic distribution of marine planktonic copepods. Avaliable at http://copepods.obs- banyuls.fr/en. Wetzel, R.G. (2001) Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems. Third Edition, Academic Press, San Diego, 1006 p. World Health Organization (2011). Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quaity-4th edition. WHO Library cataloguing-in-Publication Data. ISBN 9789241548151,564. World Health Organization WHO (2009). Guideline for Drinking Water Quality. Geneva. Zabbey, N. & Hart A. (2005). Physico-chemistry and benthic fauna of Woji Creek in lower Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environment and Ecology 23(2), 361-368.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND EARTH SCIENCE

Influence of Tree Species on Soil Nutrients Status in Murke Grassland and Nkafamiya Montane Soils of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Author: Mustapha DAUDA, Emmanuel Ephraim DISHAN, B. Y. Duhu, AbdulRahman AHMAD

Effect of Different Cropping Systems on Soil Fungi and Nematodes in Obelle, Emohua Local Government Area

Author: Ikechi, B. A., and Ene, D. U.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Land Use Change in Uyo Capital City, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Author: Elijah, U.D Uwem Ituen

Effect of Organic Materials on Soil Bacteria Population and Carbon Dioxide (Co2) Evolution in an Ultisol

Author: Osiriamhe, P. W., and Ene, D. U.

Isolation and Identification of Bacteria in Soils Under Different Land Use in Obelle, Emuoha Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Author: Nweke, A. F., and Ene, D. U.