Determination of Water Quality Index and Seasonal Variation of the Physicochemical Properties of Ajali River, Enugu State
- September 18, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: Environmental Science, IJRIAS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume V, Issue III, January 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Irene O. Eboh1, N.H. Okoye2, E.J. Emeka3, N.G. Ezeokoye2
1Department of Chemistry, Eastern Palm University, Ogboko Imo State, Nigeria
2Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Nigeria
3Department of Chemical Sciences, Hezekiah University, Umudi Imo State, Nigeria
Abstract: – This research was conducted to assess the water quality of Ajali River in Enugu state. The weighted arithmetic water quality index was calculated by combination of the required physicochemical parameters which are, pH, temperature, E.C, turbidity, T.D.S, T.SS, T.H, BOD, DO, alkalinity, sulphate, nitrate, and chloride. The River was sampled monthly from January 2017 to June 2017 and parameters analyzed according to APHA standard methods. The mean values for temperature from April to June ranging from 30.3 to 32.1 is higher than the permissible limit recommended by WHO thereby making Ajali River slightly polluted. Also, D.O. mean values 7.47, 7.01, and 5.17 for January, February and March respectively were all higher than the WHO recommended standard values. Except the above mentioned parameters, the mean values of all parameters tested were within the WHO recommended standard limits. The overall water quality index values are 38.566, 43.755, 57.7, 59.80, 60.55, and 62.39 for January, February, March, April, May, and June respectively. These values show that water is least deteriorated in the months of January and February signifying a grade of B which is good and highly deteriorated as the months progress with a grade of C which is poor. The result of the analysis showed that the river gets polluted as the rainy season approaches and the water thus is not safe for drinking and domestic use. It is recommended that effective treatment measures should be applied to augment the river water quality.
Keywords – Augment, permissible limit, physicochemical parameters, pollution, Water quality index
