ABSTRACT

The field work was carried out at three sampling sites namely; Anya stream, National Root Crop Research Institute and the University Fish Farm Umudike, from June to August 2013, with sampling done twice a month. Water samples were collected in a 1.5 litre bottle, tightly corked and sealed to prevent contamination during transportation with each bottle correspondingly labeled. The samples were analyzed at Reliable research laboratory at Ehimiri, Umuahia, Abia State for the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) ( a-endosulphan, 0-endosulphan, dieldrin and chloropyrifos) other parameters sampled were physiochemical parameters, such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand. Nutrients, such as nitrate and and heavy metals, such as iron, cadium and zinc. One way analysis of variance and Fishers LSD were used to separate the means, computer based programme, SPSS 20 was used to analyse the values obtained. The monthly values for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) ranged from 0.04±0.01 - 0.05±0.05 with Anya having a peak level of 0.05±0.05 comprising majorly a-endosulphan and dieldrin, which significantly different from those of Research Reservoir and the university fish farm (p<0.05). The mean D.O in Anya, Research Reservoir and the university fish farm were 4.86±0.23, 4.48±0.34 and 4.61±0.53 respectively, as there was significant difference among the stations (p><0.05). The mean nitrates contents in the sampling sites were 3.78±0.16, 1.53±0.08 and 1.67±0.23 in Anya, Research Reservoir and the university fish farm. Its content were not significantly different among the stations (p>0.05). The mean sulphate content ranged from 1.62±0.32 - 4.15±0.64 with Anya having the greatest value which was significantly different from the other two stations (p

<0.05). The mean concentration of iron in Anya rivers ranges from 0.7H0.64 - 2.24±0.64 with the greatest value recorded in Anya, which was significantly different from the other two stations (p><0.05). The mean biological oxygen demand in Anya, Research Reservoir and the university fish farm were 6.29±0.27, 5.93±0.38 and 6.0±0.33 respectively. When compared with WHO guidelines values of 3.0mg\l and 4.5mg\l for drinking and irrigation respectively, the sites are therefore considered to be polluted with organic matter.>