ABSTRACT
This study assessed the physiochemical parameters and microbial parameters of sediments from Ovia River, Edo State. A total of 18 water samples were collected at each location from June 2023 to August 2023. Sediments physiochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), potassium (K), sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), total nitrogen (N), total hydrocarbon content (THC) sand, silt, clay were analysed using various recommended routine laboratory analysis. Microbial parameters were analysed using pour plate method. The average mean concentration of physicochemical and microbial parameters in sediments from Ovia River were 6.23±0.56 (pH), 61.00±6.08 (EC), 0.41±0.25 (TOC), 28.63±4.25 (SO4), 0.04±0.02 (Total N), 36.23±13.27 (NO3), 11.89±1.00 (PO4), 1416.63±195.25 (Ca), 659.32±231.95 (Mg), 1560.16±212.98 (Na), 739.59±253.78 (K), 25.59±3.96 (THC), 92.88±1.19 (Sand), 4.96±0.88 (Clay), 2.05±0.85 (Silt), 5.90 x 105 ±0.30 (THB), 3.19 x 103 ±0.15 (THF), 2.56 x 102 ±1.50 (E.coli) and 1.78 x 105 ±0.69 (Fecal coliform count). The result showed that the mean value for pH, EC, SO4, Nitrates and THC all fall below the W.H.O standards.The result showed that three principal components (PCs) were extracted in the study areas which accounted for 88.431% of the variance in the data set. According to the combinations of the clusters, the physiochemical and microbial characteristics of sediments from Ovia River showed a defined variation. In conclusion, the monitoring for pathogenic bacteria in sediment is crucial for assessing the risk to human health to ascertain if the surface water samples from River Ovia is suitable for consumption. The quality of Ovia river is being negatively impacted by human activities around the area rendering the water unsafe for consumption.
