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Research Journal of Environmental Sciences

Year: 2008 | Volume: 2 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 209-220
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Authors

Francis O. Arimoro

Chukwuji M.A. Iwegbue

Ogheneghalome Osiobe

Keywords

Research Article

Effects of Industrial Waste Water on the Physical and Chemical Characteristics of a Tropical Coastal River

Francis O. Arimoro, Chukwuji M.A. Iwegbue and Ogheneghalome Osiobe
The effect of industrial wastewater on the physical and chemical characteristics of Warri River, a coastal water body in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria was carried out for eight months spanning from October 2005 to May 2006. Three sampling points were chosen along the river corresponding to the locations were notable industries discharges are drained from the water shed into the river. Two reference points, upstream (Station 1) and downstream (Station 5) were also selected along the watercourse. The effluents discharged into stations 2, 3 and 4 led to slight increase in the acidic pH (6.16-7.73), high BOD values (10.8-54.4 mg L-1), including substantial increase in COD values (20-80 mg L-1), Turbidity values 94.5-18.6 Ntu) and total dissolved solids (165-898 mg L-1). Oil and grease levels were elevated in station 2 (3.42-17.9 mg L-1). This is as expected owing to its location close to a nearby fuel station. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) result revealed that turbidity, TDS, TSS, Electrical conductivity, salinity, BOD, COD, Phosphate, Ammonia, Iron and Copper were significantly different among the various stations sampled. The upstream station and downstream reference sites recorded lower values of these parameters. Seasonality did not affect much of the parameters except for Ammonia, TSS and TDS that were significantly different among the various sampling months. The study underscores the need for immediate remediation programmes to ameliorate the poor water status of the sections of the river sampled.
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