WATER PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF OWAN RIVER, IN OWAN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

 The physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal levels in water samples and sediments from the Owan River in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria were investigated from January to March to assess the quality status of the river. The mean physicochemical values include pH 6.69, electrical conductivity (E.C.) 45 μS/cm, water temperature 28 °C, air temperature 32°C, T.D.S. 22.7.00 mg/L, TSS 19.3 mg/l, turbidity 27 NTU, B.O.D. 1.3mg/l, chloride 18.82mg/l, alkalinity 18mg/l, hardness 16.67mg/l, sulphate 10.67mg/l, phosphate 0.65mg/l, nitrate 0.033mg/l, calcium 3.74mg/l, magnesium 1.79   and D.O. 5.3 mg/L.The result also shows that the pattern of decreasing concentrations of heavy metals in the surface water is Fe > Zn >Pb> Cr>Ni>Mn. Iron was the highest occurring heavy metal in the surface water of with mean values of 539.47– 754.22 mg/L. The heavy metal content in the sediment indicates wide variations of heavy metal concentrations. The result shows that the pattern of decreasing concentrations of heavy metals in the sediment is Fe > Zn>Cr >Mn>Ni>Pb. The results showed that the concentrations of examined heavy metals in water are comparatively lower than corresponding values in the sediment.The higher metalconcentration in sediment necessitates the need to continuously monitor the water body tominimize adverse health impacts of heavy metal poisoning.