ABSTRACT

The assessment of the physicochemical characteristics of rivers is necessary in order to determine the water quality status of a river or stream. Water samples of Azueke stream were studied between January and June 2022 in three stations and compared with national standards to evaluate its suitability to support aquatic life. The samples were collected and analysed using standard methods. Fifteen (15) physicochemical parameters were evaluated and the values were: air temperature (21.9-29.3°C), water temperature (21.0-26.5°C), flow velocity (0.06-0.44m/s), transparency (25.0-60.5cm), pH (4.9-8.6), turbidity (0.2-2.5NTU), electrical conductivity (20.0-86.0µs/cm), total dissolved solids (10.0-43.2mg/l), dissolved oxygen (3.0-7.4mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (1.50-3.30mg/l), chemical oxygen demand (3.0-32.8mg/l), chloride (59.5-141.8mg/l), sulphate (0.02-0.76mg/l),  nitrate (0.14-0.76mg/l) and phosphate (0.06-0.46 mg/l). All the values were within acceptable limits except some values of pH and dissolved oxygen that were lower than the limits and biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand that exceeded the limits. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the parameters among the stations. The parameters were influenced by human activities, season or a combination of both. However, the study indicated that human activities, including sand mining, agricultural activities, piggery farm effluent discharge, solid waste disposal, etc. had no negative impact on the water but need to monitored and regulated. Therefore, Azueke stream has a good status suitable for sustaining biodiversity.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents                                                                                                                               Page No

Cover Page. i

Title Page. ii

Certification. iii

Dedication. iv

Acknowledgements. v

Table of contents. vi

List of tables. viii

List of figures. ix

List of plates. x

Abstract xi

CHAPTER ONE.. 1

INTRODUCTION.. 1

1.1 . Water Quality. 1

1.1.2       Aim and Objectives. 3

1.2 . Literature Review.. 4

1.2.1       Key physico-chemical parameters. 5

CHAPTER TWO.. 9

MATERIALS AND METHODS. 9

2.1.. Study Area. 9

2.2.. Sampling stations. 10

2.2.1    Station 1. 10

2.2.2    Station 2. 10

2.2.3    Station 3. 11

2.3 . Sample Collections. 11

2.4 . Physico-chemical analysis. 12

2.5 . Statistical treatment of results. 19

CHAPTER THREE.. 20

RESULTS. 20

3.1.. Physicochemical Results. 20

3.1.1    Air Temperature (°C) 20

3.1.2    Water Temperature (°C) 21

3.1.3    Flow Velocity (m/s) 22

3.1.4    Transparency (cm) 23

3.1.5    pH.. 23

3.1.6    Turbidity (NTU) 24

3.1.7    Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 25

3.1.8    Total Dissolved Solids (mg/l) 26

3.1.9    Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) 27

3.1.10     Biochemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l) 28

3.1.11     Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l) 29

3.1.12     Chloride. 30

3.1.13     Sulphate. 31

3.1.14     Nitrate. 32

3.1.15     Phosphate. 33

CHAPTER FOUR.. 35

4.0.. DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.. 35

4.1.. Discussion. 35

4.2.. Conclusion and Recommendation. 39

REFERENCES. 40

LIST OF TABLES

Table                                                                                                                                   Page No

3.1     Summary of the physicochemical parameters measured in Azueke stream                  21

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure                                                                                                                         Page No

2.1:  Map of Azueke Stream, Umudike showing the sampling stations     9

3.1:  Temporal and Spatial variations of Air temperature (°C)     20

3.2:           Temporal and Spatial variations of Water temperature (°C)     22

3.3:  Temporal and Spatial variations of Flow velocity (m/s)                 22

3.4:  Temporal and Spatial variations of Transparency (cm)                 23

3.5:  Temporal and Spatial variations of pH                              24

3.6:           Temporal and Spatial variations of Turbidity (NTU)      25

3.7:  Temporal and Spatial variations of Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm)                              26

3.8:  Temporal and Spatial variations of Total Dissolved Solids (mg/l)    27

3.9:  Temporal and Spatial variations of Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l)                28

3.10:    Temporal and Spatial variations of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l)   29

3.11:    Temporal and Spatial variations of Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l)   30

3.12:    Temporal and Spatial variations of Chloride (mg/l)      31

3.13:    Temporal and Spatial variations of Sulphate (mg/l)      32

3.14:    Temporal and Spatial variations of Nitrate (mg/l)      33

3.15:    Temporal and Spatial variations of Phosphate (mg/l)      34

LIST OF PLATES

Plate                                                                                                                                 Page No

1:     Sample Station 1 located within Azueke Community                             10

2:     Sample Station 2 located near ABSU Extension in Umudike                                    11

3:  Sample Station 3 located inside National Root and Crop Research Institute, Umudike    12