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EVALUATION OF POLLUTION STATUS OF NWORIE RIVER WATER AND SEDIMENTS, IMO STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The physico-chemical and microbial status of Nworie River and its Sediments were investigated using standard methods. Samples were obtained at four locations Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Warehouse (WH), Emmanuel College (EC) and Control Point (CP). Results obtained from physico-chemical analysis show that except for Colour, Turbidity, pH, Fe, Hg, Pb, Al, and Cd, other measured parameters such as
(Conductivity, TDS, Calcium and Magnesium Hardness, Alkalinity, Total chloride, Nitrate, Nitrogen (NO,N), Phosphate (PO43-), Sulphate (SO4),Potassium (K),Copper and Zinc) conformed with World Health Organization (WHO) 2011, standards. The mean concentration values for major cations (Ca, Na, Mg and K) at FMC, WH and EC were (7.57, 7.32 and 5.76), (26, 24, and 22.2), (1.76, 1.79 and 1.80) and (3.87,
4.64and 5.53) mg/l respectively, while mean values for anions (HCO3, NO3, SO4 and Cl–) were (9, 8 and 9), (17, 22.33, and 18.1), (25.0, 30.0 and 32.0) and (30.0, 15.0 and 15.30) mg/l respectively. Also, the stream sediments shows that aside pH, Total Chloride, Hg, NO3, Fe, K, Pb, Cd and Al, all other parameters conform to Federal Ministry of Environment (FME)2006 standards. The pathogenic organisms found in the water and sediments unconformity with WHO and FME standards could be agents of waterborne diseases. The environmental and health implications of the variables were examined to establish current levels of pollution. An attempt has been made to show the relationships between pollution levels, human, industrial and agricultural activities that introduce pollutants into the River. The spatial distribution of pollutants due to a poor land use system and human activities were investigated, thus emphasizing integrated planned development as a preventive measure for arresting pollution levels in the river. The mean pH values for the three segments (FMC, WH and EC) were 5.76, 5.77 and 5.40 respectively, while the mean pH values for the sediments were 5.0, 5.66 and 6.0 respectively, thus showing that the water and sediment is acidic and does not conform to the WHO 2011 drinking water standard. There is therefore the need for proper treatment of the water so as to ensure its suitability for domestic and commercial use. The pH of the river can be treated using sodium carbonate (soda ash).
Key words: Pollution, pH, pathogenic organism, Anthropogenic activities and Sod ash pollutants.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of contents vi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Information 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 4
1.3 Objectives of the Study 5
1.4 Justification of the Study 5
1.5 Scope of the Study 5
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Previous Works 6
2.2 Location, Extent and Accessibility 12
2.3 Climate of the Study Area 14
2.4 Vegetation 16
2.5 Geology of the Area 17
2.6 Hydrogeology of the Study Area 19
2.7 Soil, Drainage And Topography 21
CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Materials 23
3.2 Sampling procedures 23
3.2.1 Field procedures 23
3.2.2 Sampling preparations 23
3.2.3 Laboratory analysis 24
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Result of physical and chemical characteristics of water samples 25
4.2 Discussions 29
4.2.1 pH Value7 29
4.2.2 Odour 29
4.2.3 Colour 29
4.2.4 Total Dissolved Solids (Tds) 29
4.2.5 Electrical Conductivity 30
4.2.6 Turbidity: 30
4.3 Major cations 30
4.4 Major anions 31
4.5 Heavy metals 32
4.6 Micro organisms identified and isolated from Nworie river 33
4.7 Pollution index 34
4.8 Sodium adsorption ratio 35
4.9 Geochemical models 36
4.10 Stream sediments 49
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion 60
5.2 Recommendations 61
5.3 Contributions to knowledge 62
References 63
Appendix 68
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Water resources can be broadly divided into two; surface and sub-surface or groundwater. Accessibility and availability of fresh and potable water is paramount to sustainable development and an essential element in health (Odeyemi et al., 2010; Adekunle, 2004). These surface water resources (streams, rivers, lakes etc.) occupy about 71% of the total area of the earth.
Most surface water bodies in developing and developed countries are vulnerable to pollution due to anthropogenic activities. Water is generally said to be polluted when its acceptable quality has been altered by man’s activities through anthropogenic inputs such that its intended usage for commercial or domestic purpose is hampered (lbeh & Mbah, 2007;Amadi et al., 2006). Industrial activities and urbanization in developing countries like Nigeria, have gradually led to surface water deterioration in recent years and consumption of such water could threaten health since it consists of organic and inorganic pollutants (Akaninwor & Egwim, 2006).
A river is a natural watercourse usually freshwater flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea or another river. They offer a number of benefits and services to man and the environment. According to (Akaninwor & Egwim, 2006) pollution of freshwater bodies such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds is most experienced as a result of industrial discharges, municipal wastes deposit and surface runoff. Indiscriminate and uncontrolled discharges of wastes into rivers impact negatively on river ecosystems and human health. Nworie River is subjected to intensive human and industrial activities, and at the same time, is used as a source of drinking water when the public water system fails. The increasing population of the inhabitant of Owerri metropolis has led to the increase in microbial pollution due to the enormous wastes generated from their various activities. The river which runs approximately 5.0km course through Owerri, the capital of Imo state in south-eastern Nigeria is of great importance to the inhabitants of Owerri, serving as a source of water for domestic use such as bathing, washing, drinking etc. The river also supports recreational activities and part-time fishing. The common practice of unregulated wastes disposal into watercourses can affect their normal use by municipalities. Aquatic environment near cities are usually prone to over loading with a variety of pollutants either through direct or indirect discharges. The situation is worsened when the waste is untreated. The public health problems arising from faecal pollution of natural waters have been documented by several workers such as (Ezemonye, 2009). Reckless dumping of wastes into natural water bodies can overtax the self-purifying capacity of the receiving water. This will not only endanger the resident aquatic life but also impair other amenity purposes and non-consumption uses that the river course might be put into. Wastes generated as a result of human activities from institution such as Federal medical centre (FMC), Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE), and Holy ghost college in Owerri situated along the river banks as well as wastes from most hotels situated within the municipality do find their ways into the river which increases the microbial load on the river. Washing, bathing and other human activities carried out at different points of the river serve as additional sources of pollution to the river. Runoffs from agricultural farmlands surrounding the river carry agrochemicals like residual pesticides, fertilizers, manures into the river and this leaves the river in a despicable state. Ezemonye,( 2009) also implicated refuse dumping as dwelling places for vectors of diseases. The assessment of the environmental fate and behaviour of constituents that have the potential to leach from the numerous contaminant sources to pollute the Nworie River is of immense interest in this study. Such assessments require the knowledge of various physical, chemical and bacteriological aspects of the surface water body (Ahiarakwem & Onyekuru, 2011).
Nworie River, is one of the major rivers that flows through Owerri, the capital city of Imo State in the Southeastern Region of Nigeria and its environs. It is among such rivers exposed to deterioration by high population growth and indiscriminate waste disposal and also among the surface water bodies threatened by human activities. Some industries, institutions, and outlets located along the river, discharge their waste water into the river. The regular use of the river banks for agricultural activities may cause the washing of agrochemicals into the river during heavy rainfall. Nworie River serves as a source of domestic water and fishing ground to local population living along its banks.
Nworie River is a first order stream that runs about a 5km course across Owerri metropolises in Imo State before emptying into another river, the Otamiri River. It flows through the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, Alvan lkoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE),Owerri and Holy Ghost College Owerri. All these institutions discharge their untreated waste into Nworie River and there is no doubt that the river is vulnerable to a variety of waste discharged from all these institutions.
Nworie River also receives large quantities of pollutants from human activities such as laundering, bathing, etc. Runoffs also carry solid wastes such as plastics, polythene, pure water sachets, and agrochemicals from farm lands surrounding the river, etc. into the water body during rainfall.The river acts as a source of drinking water, fishing and other domestic uses for the inhabitants. Its watershed is subject to intensive human and industrial activities resulting in the discharge of a wide range of pollutants. Dredging operations are also carried out in the river which involves the removal of bed materials and associated vegetation from a river channel; or simply under water evacuations to establish a channel to improve navigation and commercial activities. The Imo State government decided to dredge the Nworie River in view of environmental, health and economic concerns hinged on such determinant factors as: Eutrophication,
Sedimentation and Pollutants; which will help to reduce aquatic vegetation growth by lowering the river bed below photic zone. This in turn will help in dealing with nutrient loading, increase the habitat of fish and reduce the breeding ground for mosquitoes (Njoku &Acho, 2010). However, the suspended sediment load and turbidity of a river are increased during the removal of bed or bank material and as a consequence other water quality characteristic such as temperature are affected (Ede & Williams, 2008).
Also increased turbidity reduces high penetration and therefore primary productivity, which has a knock-on effect throughout the food chain; and also most fishes, will have a reduced capacity to find and capture prey or food. Major modifications of the hydrological characteristics enhance pollutant re-routing capabilities of flood plains (Abam, 2008).
Dredging may remove large amounts of sediments, change harbours features and modify the structure and dynamics of the soft bottom community (Kenny &Rees, 1996; Lewis et al., 2001). Studies on the assessment of the physiochemical variables of Nworie River are therefore necessary to understand its environmental and health effects. They concluded that Nworie River was polluted and posed a health threat to Owerri residents. Alinnor & Obiji (2010) working on the heavy metal content of fish samples from Nworie River, identified Fe, Cd, Mn, in fish species, Tilapia guineesis whereas Pb and Hg were below detection level.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The physical and bio-chemical characteristics of surface water resources is constantly being modified by activities within around it. Such activities include farming, fishing, indiscriminate dumping of waste, oil and natural gas exploration and exploitation, exploration and exploitation of solid minerals etc.
These activities are capable of introducing toxic substances into the surface water thus affecting their resource status and usefulness. Nworie River is not an exception to those challenges facing surface water Resources. Activities which are capable of changing the chemistry or status of the River includes farming, fishing, dredging, recreational activities indiscriminate disposal of waste in the water shed.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.3.1 Main Objective
The main objective of this study is to provide information that will be useful in the sustainable management development of the Nworie River.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
The following are the specific objectives:
- To determine the physical and biochemical constituent of the waters of Nworie River.
- To determine the level of degradation of the river.
- Identification of the geochemical models using graphical and analytical methods.
1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
The chemistry of the Nworie River is and even the sediments in its watershed is constantly being altered by several activities (farming, fishing, construction, recreational and industrial) within and around it. Those activities introduce variety of pollutants into the river and its watershed. The influx of pollutants into the river through these activities and others vary year to year; this calls for regular monitoring of the chemistry of the Nworie River. This study will highlight the current water quality status of Nworie River on the basis of the above facts.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The work is restricted to physical, biological and physiochemical analysis of Nworie and its sediments. It does not include vegetational or foresenic analysis. This work involves the collection of stream sediments using manual dredging and water sample at strategic locations using grab method.
EVALUATION OF POLLUTION STATUS OF NWORIE RIVER WATER AND SEDIMENTS, IMO STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA
