ABSTRACT

 A study of the monthly change sin physicochemical and biological properties of the Ntugbu Akwete River in Ukwa, Abia State was carried out from the months of August to October 2010. The study was aimed at assessing the quality of water during the period of: the study and its implications to the inhabitants of the densely populated Ukwa-East region. The levels of the nutrient elements were high suggesting that organic pollution and nutrient enrichment were recorded properties of the water value. The temperature of the river ranged between 26.3C-26.7¢, and the pH value varied between 6.91 and 7.66 during the period of study. Alkalinity were moderately recorded to be high in the month of August having a value of 91.4mg/l and dropped in the month of October to 82.41mg/l. • the value for the dissolved oxygen was recorded to be high in the month of October having a value of 6.3mg/I, also the value for biochemical oxygen demand was observed to be high in the month of September, having then value of 4.3mg/I. Both the phosphate and nitrate levels where recorded to be high in the month of October having values of 0.42mg/l and 19.2mg/I respectively. Phytoplankton species in the river was dominated by algal the family, Chlorophyceae. A total of four families of phytoplankton species; Chlorophyceae, Euglenophlceae, Cynophyceae, Bacilariophyceae were observed in the river during the period of study, and where influenced by the change of nutrients within the water body. Monitoring and evaluation of this river and education on health measures and hygiene are therefore essential