Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy metals content of surface water in Downstream, Kaduna River, Zungeru,Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background and Aim: The quality of a given water body is controlled by its physical, chemical and biological factors. Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals of Surface water in downstream Kaduna River, Zungeru, Niger State, Nigeria were evaluated to develop a baseline data on the pollution status of the water. Method: Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals of the water were determined monthly for a period of five months (April – August, 2015) using standard methods Three study sites were selected along the river course designated as Sites A, B, and C. Results: The concentrations of the parameters ranged as follows: pH (5.90 – 6.80), air and water temperatures (25.00 – 31.00 ºC), electrical conductivity (32.00 – 72.00 μS cm-1), dissolved oxygen (3.5 – 8.2 mg L-1), biological oxygen demand (1.00 – 5.00 mg L-1), phosphate (0.06 – 1.13 mg L-1), nitrates (0.44 – 1.44 mg L-1), alkalinity (8.00 – 16.00 mg L-1), transparency (36.00 – 40. 00 m), manganese (0.03 - 0.70 mg L-1), Iron (2.00 – 3.80 mg L-1), zinc (0.04 – 0.35 mg L- 1), and copper (0.01 - -0.07 mg L-1). There was no record of lead detected throughout the time of the study. Anaysis of Variance (ANOVA) calculated for the parameters showed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in all the physicochemical parameters sampled among the sampling Sites, except for the air surface temperature. Linear correlation among temperature, conductivity, DO, and phosphates revealed that the water quality deteriorated increasingly as the water traveled from the upper reaches (Site A) down to the lower reaches (Site C). Most of the physicochemical parameters – pH, surface water temperatures, conductivity, BOD, phosphates, and nitrates were within the recommended limits for survival of aquatic organisms. However, the values of DO and transparency fell outside these limits. Data obtained for heavy metals showed that Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe) were above the maximum contaminant levels Conclusion: Based on the extremely high values of Mn and Fe, the waters of Kaduna River is therefore, declared unfit for human consumption as this may lead to Fe and Mn related illnesses, therefore posing potential risk of bio-magnification for inhabitants that depend on the river. We therefore advocate proper surveillance as a tool for monitoring anthropogenic (human) activities in order to ensure minimized effects on these parameters of Kaduna River.