Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics of Mini-Ezi Stream in Elele-Alimini, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Mini-Ezi Stream is one major aquatic ecosystem in Elele-Alimini that receives arrays of wastes generated from agricultural
farms, residential homes, fecal discharges and other products of anthropogenic activities along the stream course. Samples of
water from the stream were collected to assess the physicochemical characteristics during both dry and wet seasons. Thirteen
physicochemical parameters were analyzed. pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Temperature and
Turbidity were determined in situ, while Bicarbonate, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total
Hardness (TH), Chloride (Cl-), Phosphate (PO4 3-), Nitrate (NO3-) and Sulphate (SO4 2-) were determined using standard analytical
procedures in the laboratory. The result revealed that Temperature, EC, TDS and Bicarbonate levels showed significant differences (p˂0.05), with the dry season recording higher mean values than the wet season. On the other hand, NO3-, PO4 3-, Cland SO42 recorded higher mean values in wet season which may be due to runoff from land mass. The result showed that all the physicochemical parameters analyzed in water from Mini-Ezi Stream were within the national and international set standards
except for turbidity that was above the set standard. Therefore, this study can serve as baseline information for the periodic monitoring of water quality of the stream.