Preliminary Assessment of Some Physicochemical Parameters During Dredging of Nworie River, Owerri

Abstract

The projected dredging of the Nworie River apart from its tourism potentials was hinged on the following factors: Eutrophication, sedimentation and pollutants. This investigation surveyed the following parameters for both surface and sediment samples: pH, Conductivity, Nitrate, Phosphate, Cl, Ca, Mg, Pb, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Al, Cd, TOC; while Alkanity, TDS, TSS, Turbidity, DO, BOD were for water samples only. Three sampling locations were selected for comparative studies: Station 1, a partially dredged section of the river, station 2, dredged portion and station 3 the control section in Egbu axis of Otamiri River (non dredged). Apart from in situ measurement taken for pH and conductivity, the other variables were determined by data logging spectrophotometer. The mean pH value of 5.2 indicates the water is acidic and not fit for human consumption. Pb and Fe values in the sediment samples (0.4331 mg/l and 0.4867 mg/l respectively) exceeded the safe limits of WHO standard. The low levels of the nutrients, N and P and the mean DO value of 5.633 mg/l shows the dredging project will support aquatic biodiversity. There was significant difference between the surface and sediment samples of the parameters studied. The environmental and health implications of the variables were examined.