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Global Research Journal of Microbiology Vol.xx(xx) pp.056 – 061 August 2011.
Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/?a=journal&id=grjm
Copyright ©2011 Global Research Journals
Full Lenght Research.
A COMPARATIVE LIMNOLOGICAL AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF SOME RIVERS IN BENIN CITY AND PERI-URBAN AREAS,EDO STATE, NIGERIA.
BY
1EKHATOR, O., 2*AKOMA, O. C. AND 1OGIE-ODIA, E.
1DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY EKPOMA
2DEPARTMENT OF BASIC SCIENCES (MICROBIOLOGY OPTION)
BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY,
BENIN CITY.
*Corresponding author: oakoma@biu.edu.ng
Accepted 28th July 2011.
| Abstract |
A comparative water quality assessment of five rivers located in Benin City and peri-urban areas was undertaken between December 2001 and July 2002. The physico-chemical parameters investigated were pH, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate and sulphate. Turbidity, pH, nitrate and sulphate values were significantly different in the rivers (P<0.05). Electrical Conductivity and TDS were positively correlated showing their over-riding importance in determining trophic status and nutrient content of the rivers studied. The rivers were remarkably low in nutrients and there was no discernible seasonal pattern in the variability of the parameters studied. Although most of the parameters measured did not exceed the WHO/FEPA standards for drinking water, it is recommended that water from these rivers must be treated to avoid possible health hazard.
Keywords: Physical, chemical, water quality, rivers, nutrients