Authors :
Adeyi, G. O; Okeke, O. C; Onyekuru, S. O; Meribe, P. N; Adeyi A. A
Volume/Issue :
Volume 6 - 2021, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/gu88
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3373GKJ
Abstract :
The aim of this study is to conduct
geochemical evaluation of Imo River water as a
management strategy for sustainable development. The
objectives are to determine the physical and chemical
characteristics of Imo River water; to make a
comparison of the physiochemical parameter value with
the WHO standard for drinking water; to ascertain the
pollution index (status) of the area's water; to determine
the SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio); and to ascertain
the geochemical facies of the river. Water samples were
taken from ten (10) strategic gauge stations designated
WS1-WS10 along the stretch of the Imo River at a
distance of 100 meters apart. Land use features such as
dump sites were visited and examined. A global
positioning system (GPS) was later used to geo-reference
the sampling points. The results of the pH values ranged
from 5.45 to 6.30, the turbidity values ranged from 10.4
to 12.5 NTU, and the electrical conductivity ranged
from17.0 to 33.6 micro ohms. Total dissolved solids
ranged from 10.2 to 20.2 mg/l. The results of
physiochemical and geochemical parameters after
comparison fell within the value of the WHO (2011)
standard for quality water, showing that the water
samples are safe for domestic, industrial, and
agricultural purposes with a few exceptions for pH,
which were slightly acidic, high turbidity levels, as well
as high levels of Pb2+ and Cd2+ in some of the sampling
stations. Different calculations and plots were also made,
ranging from numerical calculations of the chemical
models such as the pollution index (PI), which is to
evaluate the extent of degradation of the river water.
Although the PI value between 0.6 and 0.7 is yet to attain
the critical value of 1, it is necessary to monitor it
because it is quickly approaching 1. The figures for
sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were deemed excellent
for irrigation purposes. Graphical methods such as:
Piper (all ten stations fell on the right hand side,
indicating that they are Na+ + K+
– Cl- waters), Durov
(the pH section of the plot reveals that the river's water
is acidic, making it unsafe for consumption). Finally, the
major sources of contamination within the study area
revealed that they are mainly from agricultural
practices, dumpsites, and human defecation by humans.
The quality can be improved by applying appropriate
treatment to the water before its use for various
purposes.
Keywords :
Geochemical Evaluation, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), pH, Pollution Index (PI) and Imo River.
The aim of this study is to conduct
geochemical evaluation of Imo River water as a
management strategy for sustainable development. The
objectives are to determine the physical and chemical
characteristics of Imo River water; to make a
comparison of the physiochemical parameter value with
the WHO standard for drinking water; to ascertain the
pollution index (status) of the area's water; to determine
the SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio); and to ascertain
the geochemical facies of the river. Water samples were
taken from ten (10) strategic gauge stations designated
WS1-WS10 along the stretch of the Imo River at a
distance of 100 meters apart. Land use features such as
dump sites were visited and examined. A global
positioning system (GPS) was later used to geo-reference
the sampling points. The results of the pH values ranged
from 5.45 to 6.30, the turbidity values ranged from 10.4
to 12.5 NTU, and the electrical conductivity ranged
from17.0 to 33.6 micro ohms. Total dissolved solids
ranged from 10.2 to 20.2 mg/l. The results of
physiochemical and geochemical parameters after
comparison fell within the value of the WHO (2011)
standard for quality water, showing that the water
samples are safe for domestic, industrial, and
agricultural purposes with a few exceptions for pH,
which were slightly acidic, high turbidity levels, as well
as high levels of Pb2+ and Cd2+ in some of the sampling
stations. Different calculations and plots were also made,
ranging from numerical calculations of the chemical
models such as the pollution index (PI), which is to
evaluate the extent of degradation of the river water.
Although the PI value between 0.6 and 0.7 is yet to attain
the critical value of 1, it is necessary to monitor it
because it is quickly approaching 1. The figures for
sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were deemed excellent
for irrigation purposes. Graphical methods such as:
Piper (all ten stations fell on the right hand side,
indicating that they are Na+ + K+
– Cl- waters), Durov
(the pH section of the plot reveals that the river's water
is acidic, making it unsafe for consumption). Finally, the
major sources of contamination within the study area
revealed that they are mainly from agricultural
practices, dumpsites, and human defecation by humans.
The quality can be improved by applying appropriate
treatment to the water before its use for various
purposes.
Keywords :
Geochemical Evaluation, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), pH, Pollution Index (PI) and Imo River.
