A Study of Seasonal Physicochemical Parameters in River Usma

Abstract

Growing populations may put stresses on natural waters by impairing both the quality of the water and the hydrological budget. Abuja, being relatively a new city and the new Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, has scarce physicochemical data on its water resources that could assist in making robust decision in mitigating the impact of human societies on natural waters; which may not only preserve natural areas, but improve the quality of life of her growing population. A Study of Seasonal Physicochemical Parameters in River Usuma, Abuja Nigeria was carried out between 2011 and 2012. The water quality was studied at seven sites at upstream and downstream among the towns traversed by the River. Physicochemical parameters of the samples were measured; moreover, possible sources of contamination were analyzed. The parameters measured include; sodium (Na), potassium (K), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD); Dissolve Oxygen (DO), pH, temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), total alkalinity, Total Phosphate (TP), Total Nitrate (TN), Total Sulphate (TS) and Total Chloride (TC). The mean values of the measured parameters were compared with National Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards. The findings show that all the physicochemical parameters measured were within the tolerable values except TSS that exceeded with the mean values of 6.8, 4.9 and 8.4 mg L^-1 respectively for all the seasons. The values of EC and TDS posed a caution that anthropogenic activities are on the daily increase within the study area. The water resources data base which could have validated the observed values is scarce. Therefore, frequent monitoring of physicochemical parameters of Abuja water resources is imperative.