159

Journal of Aquatic Sciences 27 (2): 159 –172 (2012)

THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ATAKPO RIVER, NIGER

DELTA, NIGERIA

A. O. EDEGBENE, F. O. ARIMORO, K. H. NWAKA, G. O. OMOVOH1,

E.

OGIDIAKA AND O. J. ABOLAGBA2

Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

1. Federal Ministry of Environment, South Centra District Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.

2. Department of Fisheries, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT The physical and chemical characteristics of Atakpo River, Niger Delta, Nigeria were investigated for six

months from March to August 2011. Three designated stations were chosen along the river course

corresponding to areas where various human activities are carried out. Water samples were collected

monthly from the three stations. The range of some of the physic-chemical parameters analyzed were: air

temperature (26.0 – 30.5oC), water temperature (26.0 – 29.5

oC), conductivity (8.5 – 19.04 s/cm), turbidity

(1.1 – 2.41 NTU), dissolved oxygen (2.8 – 6.5 mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (1.0 -2.4 mg/l), pH (5.92

– 6.02) and chloride (2.0 -5.44 mg/l). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there were significant

differences in air temperature, water temperature, conductivity, DO, total alkalinity, phosphate, total

dissolved solids, total suspended solids and chloride (p<0.05) between the stations and months sampled.

Sulphate showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the stations, but showed statistical significance

between the months (p<0.05). pH, chloride, DO, BOD and total alkalinity values show that the river is fast

deteriorating which could be attributed to fermentation of cassava and other anthropogenic activities going

on in the river. In view of this, urgent measures need to be taken to ameliorate the fast deteriorating nature

of the river.

Key Words: Pollution, human activities, water quality, Atakpo River, Niger Delta

INTRODUCTION

Aquatic ecosystems are subject to

extensive modification through human

development worldwide (Rosenberg and

Resh, 1993; Allan, 1995). Urbanization

results in frequent disturbances to rivers and

its pervasive effects reduce the quality of

water and in turn threaten aquatic biota (Paul

and Meyer, 2001). River Atakpo is one of the

numerous freshwater body that abound in the

Niger Delta area of southern, Nigeria. People

have been clearly associated with water

sources for domestic activities, drinking, food

and transportation and River Atakpo is no

exception. Most Nigerians rivers are

generally turbid with a high concentration of

suspended silt, particularly during the wet

season (Ita et al., 1985). Water quality is to

some extent an index of water pollution, the

indices presently used in Africa and Nigeria

in particular are inadequate to indicate the

damage that is done by heavy metals,

metalloids, organic and inorganic compounds

and blue green algae. The common

parameters for assessing water quality in

Nigeria (Ikomi et al., 2003; Arimoro et al.,

2007) are biochemical oxygen demand, pH,

temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity,

phosphate, nitrate, sulphate, ammonia, heavy

metals, chemical oxygen demand and

conductivity.

Recently, studies on the physical and

chemical characteristics of water bodies, both

lentic and lotic, in many African countries

and Nigeria in particular have received a

reasonable attention. Amongst the numerous

78

contributions are the studies of Jonnalagadda

and Mhere (2001), Ikomi et al (2003),

Arimoro et al (2007), Edegbene and Arimoro

(2012) amongst others. This present study

will help to ascertain, if this human influence

have a detrimental effect on the water quality

and to better understand the pollution process

in the river which may lead to processing

measures that will reduce the human activities

carried out in this river.

The study is aimed at investigating the

physical and chemical characteristics of the

river and how the various human activities

affect the water quality of the river.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study area

River Atakpo is located in Ibusa town

in Oshimili North Local Government Area of

Delta State, Nigeria. The study area lies

between Latitude 6 11' N and Longitude 6

38' E. The climate is tropical and it is

characterized by the wet and dry season. The

wet season extends from April to October

with a short break during the month of

August. During the wet season, the river

experiences a rise in water level and flows

more swiftly. The dry season occurs between

October and March. The river substratum

consists mainly of fine sands and pebbles.

Decaying macrophytes debris and cassava

effluents also formed part of the substratum.

River Atakpo takes its source from the

tropical rain forest region of Azaghba

Ogwashi, flows through Ibusa and empties at

the River Niger at Oko–Anala. For the

purpose of this study three marked out

stations were selected.

Station I

This station is located Atakpo Ajudua.

The vegetation covers include Bambusia

vulgaris, Penthaclethra macrophylla, Raphia

vinifera, Nymphae lotus, Ludwigia

stolonifera, Echinochloa stagnina, Azolla

africana and Typha australlis. Human

activities include fermenting and sieving of

cassava, washing of clothes and motorcycles,

bathing and subsistence fishing.

Station II

This station is popularly called Atakpo

Pentagon. The vegetation covers include

Bambusia vulgaris, Raphia vinifera,

Symophonia sp, Nymphae lotus, Ludwigia

stolonifera, Echinochloa stagnina, Azolla

africana, Typha australlis and Pycracus

polystachya. Human activities include

fermenting and sieving of cassava, washing of

clothes and motorcycles, bathing and

subsistence fishing.

Station III This station is popularly called Atakpo

ADP. The vegetation covers include

Penthaclethra macrophylla, Bambusia

vulgaris, Raphia vinifera, Nymphae lotus,

Ludwigia stolonifera, Echinochloa stagnina,

Azolla africana, and Typha australlis. Human

activities include fermenting and sieving of

cassava, washing of clothes and motorcycles,

bathing and subsistence fishing.

Water quality Analysis

Water samples were collected in the

three study stations monthly between March

and August 2011. Air and water temperature

was recorded with mercury-in-glass-

thermometer. Water depth was measured with

a calibrated stick. Flow velocity was

measured three times by timing a float

(average of three trails) as it moved over a

distance of 10m in the middle of the channel

(Gordon et al., 1994). Conductivity, pH, total

alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO),

biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total

suspended solids were determined according

to APHA (1992) methods. Phosphate,

sulphate, nitrate, chloride were measured

spectrophotometrically after reduction with

appropriate solutions (APHA, 1992). Total

dissolved solids (TDS) was estimated by

multiplying specific conductance by factor of

0.65. Turbidity was measured using a

portable turbidity meter (H193102) model.

77

Fig 1: Map of the study area showing the sampling stations in the downstream reaches of River

Atakpo.

RESULTS

A summary of the physical and

chemical parameters observed in Atakpo

River for the different stations are as shown

in Table 1. Also indicated are mean +

standard error values and the maximum and

minimum values for each parameter in

parenthesis. ANOVA is included to detect a

significant difference in physical and

chemical parameters among each stations and

months sampled while the monthly variations

of physical and chemical parameters are

shown in Figs. 2 to 17.

Air Temperature

Air temperature was consistently high

between 26.0 C and 30.5 C during the entire

study (Fig. 2) below. There was significant

difference among the months and stations

sampled (p<0.05) (Table 1). The highest

value of air temperature was recorded in

station 3 in the month of March while the

lowest value was recorded in the month of

July in Station 2.

Water Temperature

The water temperature was also

consistently high and ranged between 26.0 C

and 29.5 C. The highest value was recorded

in Station 3 in the month of March, as shown

in Fig. 3, while the lowest water temperature

was recorded in the month of April in Station

2. There was significant difference among the

sampling months and stations (p<0.05) (Table

1).

Water depth

The monthly water depth ranged

between 0.3 m and 0.4 m in all the stations

sampled in the month of March. It maintained

till April. A great increase was observed in

May to July and maintained till August (Fig.

4). From July, Station 3 experienced a great

increase in water depth from about 1.0 m to

2.0 m in August. There was no significant

difference among the stations (p>0.05)

sampled but significant difference existed

N

5O3

0

6O0

0

6O3

0

6O3

0

6O0

0

5O3

0 8O0

0

7O3

0

6O3

0

6O0

0

8O0

0

7O3

0

6O3

0

6O0

0

NIGERI

A STUDY AREA

Study

Stations Major

Towns Road

Key

Azagba Ogwash

i St.1

St.2

St.3

River

Niger

Ogwash

i -uku

Ibusa

78

among the months (p<0.05) sampled (Table

1).

Flow velocity

In the month of March flow velocity

maintained a constant value of 0.25 m/s in all

the stations sampled. It remained constant till

April with a slight increase in Station 3. Flow

velocity value increased steadily in all the

stations till June and then a drastic rise was

observed in July with Station 3 having the

highest value of about 0.38 m/s in the month

of August (Fig. 5). There was significant

difference in flow velocity value among the

stations and months sampled (p>005) (Table

1).

Conductivity

Conductivity value ranges from about

8.50 – 19.04 s/cm in all the sampled

stations. The lowest value of conductivity of

about 8.5 s/cm was recorded in Station 3 in

the month of June, while the highest value of

about 19.04 s/cm was recorded in station 1

in the month of April (Fig. 6). A significant

difference existed (p<0.05) among the

sampled stations and months (Table 1).

Dissolved oxygen (DO)

Dissolved oxygen value ranges from

2.8 – 6.50 mg/l. The highest value was

recorded in Station 1 in the month of April

while the lowest value was obtained in station

3 in the month of June. In all the sampling

stations station 1 had the highest DO value

during the period of the study (Fig. 7). There

was significant deference in DO among the

stations and months sampled (P<0.05) (Table

1).

Biochemical oxygen demand Fig. 8 below shows the monthly

variation in biochemical oxygen demand

(BOD). Biochemical oxygen demand

fluctuated between 1.00 and 2.4 mg/l. Station

2 recorded the lowest BOD value in the

month of May. There was no marked

temporal variation observed neither was there

any seasonal pattern in BOD. There was no

significant difference in BOD among the

sampling stations (p>0.05) but there was

significant difference in BOD among the

months sampled (p<0.05) (Table 1).

Total Alkalinity

Total Alkalinity was consistently low

during the period of the study. Station 1 had

the highest value of about 1.7 mg/l in the

month of May. The lowest alkalinity value of

about 0.46 mg/l was recorded in station 3.

From July to August a great rise was

observed in all the stations sampled with

Station 1 having the highest value of 1.62

mg/l in August, immediately followed by

Station 2 (Fig. 9). There was a statistical

significant difference among the stations and

months sampled (p<0.05) (Table 1).

pH

The pH value varies from about 4.75

to 5.2 (slightly acidic) in all the station in the

months of March and increases gradually

moves towards neutrality (6.5 -6.8) in April.

It maintains this range till May. Another

drastic drop was experienced in June, then

increases again to about 6.2 in Station 3 in the

month of August (Fig. 10). There was no

significant difference in the value of pH

among the stations sampled (p>0.05), but

there was a significant difference among the

months (p<0.05) sampled (Table 1).

Nitrate

Fig. 11 below shows the monthly

variation in Nitrate of the study station of

Atakpo River. The monthly nitrate value was

lowest in Station 1 in the month of June with

a value of 0.01 mg/l. The same Station 1 had

the highest nitrate value of about 0.12 mg/l in

August. Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

showed that, there was significant difference

(p<0.05) among the stations sampled, while

there was no significant difference in nitrate

among the months sampled (p>0.05) (Table

1).

Phosphate Station 3 had the lowest phosphate

value of 0.01 mg/l in the month of March the

phosphate value ranges from about 0.01 mg/l

79

to about 0.08 mg/l from Stations 3, 2 and 1. A

gradual increase was observed in all the

stations in April, then maintained till May in

Stations 2 and 3, but Station 1 experienced a

slight drop in phosphate. In June, all the

stations phosphate value drops a little bit.

Stations 2 and 3 had the same value of 0.05

mg/l in July, then increases slightly to about

0.08 mg/l in station 2 (Fig. 12). ANOVA

showed that there was significant difference

(p<0.05) in phosphate value recorded among

the stations and months sampled (Table 1).

Sulphate

Sulphate value was exceptionally

higher in all the months sampled in station 1

with a value range of 0.56 mg/l to 0.82 mg/l

(Fig. 13). Station 3 recorded the lowest

sulphate value of 0.55 mg/l with Station 2 in

the month of July. Significant difference

existed among the stations sampled (p<0.05)

but there was no significant difference among

the sampled months (p>0.05) (Table 1).

TDS

Total dissolved solids (TDS) was

exceptionally lowest in all the months

sampled in Station 3 while Station 1 had the

highest TDS value of about 9.1 mg/l. TDS

value ranges between 4.5mg/l to 6.2 mg/l in

Stations 2 and 3 in the month of March, then

increases gradually to about 6.8 and 8.2 mg/l

in Station 3 and 2 respectively. A drastic drop

was experienced from May to July (4.0 mg/l)

in station 3, then increases again in August to

about 6.5 mg/l in Station 3 (Fig. 14). There

was significant difference (p<0.05) among the

sampled months and stations (Table 1).

Turbidity

Turbidity value ranges from about 1.2

NTU and 2.5 NTU during the period of study.

The highest value (2.5 NTU) was recorded in

Station 1 in the month of July while the

lowest value (1.2 NTU) was recorded in

Station 1 in the month of April and Station 3

in the month of May (Fig. 15). There was no

significant difference in turbidity among the

month sampled (P>0.05), but there was

statistical significant (P<0.05) among the

stations sampled (Table 1).

Total suspended solids (TSS)

The monthly value of TSS fluctuates

between 7.8 mg/l to about 9.4 mg/l. The

highest TSS value was recorded in Station 1

in the month of April, immediately followed

by Station 2 in July. Station s2 and 3 had the

lowest TSS value in June (Fig. 16).

Significance difference existed among the

stations and months sampled (p>0.05) (Table

1).

Chloride

Chloride value was exceptionally low

in Station 3 while Station 1 had the highest

chloride value during the period of this study.

There was no seasonal variation in chloride.

The highest chloride value was recorded in

Station 1 in the month of March while the

lowest value was recorded in Station 3 in

May. Station 2 value was in between those of

Stations 1 and 3 with the highest of about 4.8

mg/l chloride in Station 2 in June (Fig. 17).

No significant difference existed among the

sampling months and stations (p>0.05) (Table

1).

77

Table 1: Summary of physical and chemical parameters of Atakpo River from March to August 2011

N.B: Probability >0.05 =no significant difference, Probability <0.05= There was Significant difference. Values are Mean S.E.(Minimum and maximum values are in parenthesis)

Parameters I II III

F-months

stations(ANOVA) F-months stations (Prob)

Air Temperature (˚C) 28.83 ± 0.33(28.0-30.00) 27.5 ± 0.48(26.0-29.0) 28.4 ± 0.70(26.5-0.7) 20.26 12.41 6.11E -05 0.0019

Water Temperature (˚C) 27.5 ± 0.39(26.5 - 28.5) 27.25 ± 0.44(26.0 - 28.5) 27.92 ± 0.47(26.5 - 29.5) 24.17 5.21 2.77E - 05 0.028

Depth (m) 0.97 ± 0.20(0.4 - 1.55) 0.97 ± 0.19(0.4 - 1.41) 0.89 ± 0.25(0.4 - 1.99) 18.87 0.27 8.37E - 05 0.77

Flow Velocity (m/s) 0.29 ± 0.017(0.25 - 0.35) 0.29 ± 0.017(0.25 - 0.35) 0.31 ± 0.026(0.25 - 0.39) 27.32 3.63 1.59E - 05 0.065

Conductivity (µS/cm) 17.21 ± 0.57(15.04 - 19.04) 13 .31 ± 1.19(9.30 - 17.74) 11.53 ± 0.88(8.5 - 14.89) 10.19 40.59 0.0011 1.59E -05

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) 5.17 ± 0.40(3.9 - 6.5) 4.27 ± 0.33(3.0 - 5.4) 3.83 ± 0.45(2.8 - 5.7)

8.04 9.81 0.0028 0.0044

BOD5 (mg/l) 1.78 ± 0.22(1.1 -2.4) 1.63 ± 0.16(1 -2.1) 1.48 ± 0.122(1.2 - 2 ) 12.14 3.52 0.00055 0.069

Total Alkalinity (mg/l) 1.33 ± 0.118(0.99 - 1.7) 1.143 ± 0.129(0.66 -1.5) 0.83 ± 0.13(0.45 - 1.3) 7.31 12.22 0.0039 0.0021

pH 6.02 5.98 5.92 32.6 0.45 7.2E -06 0.64

NO3-N (mg/l) 0.06 ± 0.014(0.04 - 0.11) 0.052 ± 0.0098(0.02 - 0.08) 0.04 ± 0.01 (0.02 - 0.08) 1.82 0.99 0.19 0.41

PO4-P (mg/l) 0.11± 0.01(0.08 - 0.15) 0.067 ± 0.014(0.03 - 0.11) 0.04 ± 0.01(0.01 - 0.07) 32.06 89.41 7.6E - 06 4.17E07

Sulphate (mg/l) 0.71 ± 0.03(0.63 - 0.82) 0.52 ± 0.06(0.31 - 0.70) 0.36 ± 0.06(0.20 - 0.55) 2.32 15.86 0.12 0.00079

TDS (mg/l) 7.74 ± 0.56(5.8 - 9.01) 6.58 ± 0.37(5.6 - 8.0) 5.64 ± 0.46(4.0 - 7.0) 7.44 15.57 0.0037 0.00085

Turbidity 2.02 ± 0.21(1.1 - 2.41) 2.06 ± 0.13(1.6 - 2.41) 1.78 ± 0.19(1.1 - 2.39) 2.86 1.22 0.074 0.34

TSS (mg/l) 8.66 ± 0.26(7.85 - 9.42) 8.25 ± 0.19(7.8 - 9.1) 8.14 ± 0.13(7.8 - 8.5) 7.27 5.48 0.0041 0.025

Chloride (mg /l) 4.76 ± 0.23(4.0 -5.44) 3.77 ± 0.27(3.16 – 4.7) 2.71 ± 0.26(2.0 – 3.47) 4.77 36.69 0.017 2.48E05

78

Figure 2: Monthly variation of Air Temperature in Atakpo

River from March to August, 2011

Figure 3: Monthly variation of Water Temperature in

Atakpo River from March to August, 2011

Figure 4: Monthly variation of Depth in Atakpo

River from March to August, 2011

Figure 5: Monthly variation of Flow velocity

in Atakpo River from March to August, 2011

Figure 7: Monthly variation of Dissolved

Oxygen in Atakpo River from March to

August, 2011

Figure 6: Monthly variation of Conductivity in

Atakpo River from March to August, 2011

78

Figure 9: Monthly variation of Total Alkalinity in Atakpo

River from March to August, 2011

Figure 8: Monthly variation of BOD in Atakpo River from

March to August, 2011

Figure 10: Monthly variation of pH in Atakpo River

from March to August, 2011 Figure 11: Monthly variation of Nitrate in Atakpo

River from March to August, 2011

Figure 13: Monthly variation of Sulphate in Atakpo River from

March to August, 2011

Figure 12: Monthly variation of Phosphate in Atakpo River

from March to August, 2011

Figure 15: Monthly variation of Turbidity in

Atakpo River from March to August, 2011

Figure 14: Monthly variation of TDS in Atakpo River from

March to August, 2011

79

DISCUSSION

Air temperature showed seasonal

variations. Air temperature values recorded in

May to July were relatively low when

compared to that recorded in March and

April. The seasonal variation in the air

temperature may probably be due to the fact

that during the rains the relative humidity is

expectedly higher than the dry months (Ikomi

et al., 2003). The water temperature range of

26.0 – 29.5oC is typical of most tropical

water. Similar observation was reported by

Arimoro et al. (2007); Edokpayi et al. (2000)

and Edegbene and Arimoro (2012) in some

selected river in southern Nigeria.

Water depth showed a seasonal

pattern of variation in the three stations

sampled. This was usually associated with the

number of raining days especially from May

to July. The increased water level was as a

result of run- off upland during the raining

season. Similarly, Ikomi et al., 2005; Arimoro

et al., 2007 and Edegbene and Arimoro

(2012) documented same results in some

selected water bodies in southern Nigeria.

Flow velocity is a function of the

amount and width of the water channel

(Nelson and Lierberman, 2002). There was an

increase in flow velocity rate during the rainy

months in Atakpo River. This can be

explained by the fact that during raining

season, run-off of erosion from nearby town

around the study area may increase the water

volume. Similarly, Ikomi et al., 2003 and

Olomukoro and Egborge, 2004 reported same

findings. Station 1 and 2 had almost similar

value of flow velocity, probably due to the

similar hydrological river basin of these two

stations as earlier reported by Nelson and

Lierberman (2002) elsewhere in United State

of America. The highest mean flow velocity

was recorded in Station 3 and this can be

linked to the presence of bridge in this station

which may drastically reduce the river size,

thereby rejuvenating the water at this point.

Conductivity measures the total ionic

composition of water and the overall chemical

richness. It also quantitatively reflects the

status of organic pollution and is a measure of

dissolved solids and ions in water

(Jonnalagadda and Mhere, 2001). From this

present study, the conductivity values (8.5 -

19.04 s/cm) showed a reflection of little

amount of dissolved ions which showed that

the river is slightly impaired. This result is in

contrast with a similar report by Arimoro et

al. (2007) in Warri River, Delta State,

Nigeria. They recorded a conductivity value

of 45.5 – 1735 s/cm which showed that the

river is heavily polluted. Similarly, in other

part of Africa, Abebe et al. (2008) reported a

conductivity value range of 105 – 1200 s/cm

which was not in consonant with this present

study in Atakpo River.

The dissolved oxygen concentration of

the stations sampled showed that the river is

slightly aerated. Similarly, in other part of

Nigeria, Ikomi et al. (2003); Olomukoro and

Egborge (2003), in Warri River, Delta State;

Edokpayi et al. (2004) in Kuramo Water

body, Lagos State, Nigeria; Ikomi et al.

(2005) in Ethiope River, Delta State, Arimoro

Figure 17: Monthly variation of Chloride in

Atakpo River from March to August, 2011 Figure 16: Monthly variation of TSS in Atakpo River from

March to August, 2011

78

and Ikomi (2008); Arimoro and Muller

(2010) in Orogodo River, Delta State and

Edegbene and Arimoro (2012) in Owan

River, Edo State also reported same DO range

of value. This, they attributed to the

deteriorating nature of most rivers in Africa

and Nigeria in particular as a result of

numerous anthropogenic activities carried out

in this part of the world and over dependence

on these water bodies for means of livelihood.

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) values

indicate the extent of organic pollution in

water quality (Jonnalagadda and Mhere,

2001). All the stations sampled in the present

study revealed that the river is becoming

stressed may be as a result of the soaking of

cassava in the water. According to Adakole

and Anunne (2003), streams can be classified

using BOD as follows: unpolluted (BOD<1.0

mg/l), moderately polluted (BOD between 2-9

mg/l) and heavily polluted (BOD > 10.0

mg/l). From this classification, it can be

inferred that the Atakpo River is moderately

polluted.

The pH value of this study area was slightly

acidic in most of the months. Station 3 had

the lowest pH value probably due to the more

intense soaking of cassava by the people of

Ibusa in the area. The pH value were very low

in the month of March, probably due to the

acidic nature of the early rains and as the rain

increase from April to May the pH value

increase towards neutrality. Generally, this

acidic nature of the river in all the stations

sampled may be linked to the soaking of

cassava for fermentation. Report from other

parts of Nigeria and Africa water bodies

conforms favourably to this present study

(Jonnalagadda and Mhere 2001; Imoobe and

Oboh 2003; Arimoro and Osakwe 2006 and

Edegbene and Arimoro, 2012).

Nitrate, phosphate and sulphate are indicators

of organic pollution (Rueda et al., 2002).

Their main source in a river system is through

organic residue of plants and animals, sewage

fertilizer (Berhe et al., 1989; Ravera, 2001

and Walsh et al., 2002). They can also be

impacted with water bodies from the

environment through precipitation and run-off

(Walsh et al., 2002). This is most applicable

to nitrate than phosphate and sulphate.

Nitrate, associated with algae growth and

eutrophication and concentration of inorganic

nitrogen greater than 0.3 mg/l can cause algae

growth in abundance (Nathanson, 2000) and

also reached high level. Nitrate in this present

study ranged from 0.02 – 0.11 mg/l and

Station 1 had the highest nitrate value

probably due to the large algae growth

noticed in this station. This range recorded

compares favourably with similar

investigation carried out by Arimoro and

Muller (2010) in Orogodo River, Delta State.

Phosphate value recorded in this study

conforms favourably with similar research by

Arimoro et al. (2008) in Orogodo River,

Delta State. Contrarily, Adakole and Anunne

(2003) recorded a high value of phosphate in

River Galma, Northern Nigeria, an

organically impacted stream. Also, elsewhere

in Ethiopia, Berhe et al. (1989) recorded a

very high titre value of phosphate in an

organically polluted river in Ethiopia.

The chloride range obtained in this study (2.0

– 5.44 mg/l) coincided with similar report by

Edegbene and Arimoro (2012) in Owan

River, Edo State. This chloride value recorded

in this study further indicated that Atakpo

River is acidic most especially in Station 3.

Again, the soaking of cassava for

fermentation is probably the main cause of

the acidic nature of Atakpo River which may

be detrimental to some sensitive benthic

macroinvertebrate and other biota in the river.

CONCLUSION

The data collated in this research

showed that Atakpo River is deteriorating in a

rapid rate. The pH, BOD, DO and chloride

values show that the soaking of cassava for

fermentation has negative impact on the water

quality of the river. So, from the foregoing,

the attention of the government and the

people of Ibusa are therefore drawn to the

following:

There should be restriction of peeling and

soaking of cassava in the river

Cassava farmers should soak or ferment their

product in large tanks as it is been practiced

79

in some parts of the country like Edo State.

Here, the waste from the tank is disposed in

the nearby bush, to reduce the pollution effect

of the waste water.

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