ABSTRACT
This study assessed the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals from Okpare Olomu River, Delta State. From June through August of 2023, a total of 18 water samples were taken from each site. Colour, pH, EC, turbidity, TDS, TSS, TS, DO, BOD, COD, alkalinity, hardness, Cl-1, K, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO4, PO43, and NO3 were among the many physiochemical parameters tested. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to calculate metal concentrations. Differences in physical and chemical characteristics were found to be highly significant (p0.01) between the two groups; these included turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total solids (TS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), alkalinity, hardness, chloride (Cl), potassium (K), sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and total nitrogen (N), and pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen ( Heavy metals and total hydrocarbon content in water samples averaged 1.6491.26 (Fe), 0.0750.08 (Cr), 0.0280.04 (Cd), 0.0680.06 (Cu), 0.1430.08 (Zn), 0.0130.01 (Mn), 0.0810.11 (Pb), and 3.3541.26 (THC). Okpare Olomu River water samples have been found to contain the following heavy metal concentrations: Fe>Pb>Zn>Cr>Cu>Cd>Mn. Metals were found to be concentrated both upstream and downstream of the Okpare Olomu River, suggesting that the oil spill had a significant effect on the area.
