ASSESSMENT OF POLLUTION STATUS OF OBIOKPA RIVER IN ORUK ANAM, USING PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

The physicochemical and heavy metal status of Obiokpa River was investigated with standard analytical procedure Obiokpa 1 and Mbiakot Stations for the month of June and Julu 2024 and the results vary in water quality parameters at different sampling points. The results of the physicochemical analysis of the water samples are as follows: pH values ranges from (5.25±0.00 - 6.15±0.01), temperature (25.1±50.01 - 27.10±0.01oC), EC (29.57±0.02 - 31.60±0.02 mg/l), DO (10.50±0.02 - 11.49±0.01 mg/l), BOD (5.70±0.02 - 6.20±0.03 mg/l), COD (45.30±0.03 - 48.55±0.03 mg/l), Alkalinity (32.00±0.01 - 36.15±0.01 mg/l), TDS (11.49±0.02 - 18.85±0.03 mg/l), TSS (22.30±0.03 - 30.15±0.02 mg/l), Hardness (45.20±0.03 - 48.35±0.01mg/l), Sulphate (25.30±0.15 - 31.46±0.22 mg/l) and Nitrate (13.35±0.06 - 14.92±0.05 mg/l) for Obiokpa 1 and Mbiakot for June and July respective. pH values recorded are within the World Health Organization, WHO permissible limit of 6.5 – 8.5 and Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) permissible limit of 6.0 – 9.0. Temperature in this study their range (25.0 – 27.0oC) for Obiokpa River falls within WHO (2013) standard for drinking water. The level of DO recorded in water samples ranged between 10.50 - 11.49 mg/L were within the maximum limits of 10 mg/L recommended for drinking water by WHO and other regulatory bodies. There was no significant temporal difference in the other parameters measured including dissolved oxygen and temperature. Obiokpa and Mbiakot River are perennial sources of water for the local population.