PHYSICO - CHEMICAL PARAMETER ASSESSMENT OF RIVER CHANCHAGA, MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analyzed some physico - chemical parameters of River Chanchaga in Niger State. The study has three objectives which were assessing water quality parameters of the river in relation to WHO standard; examining the possible causes of pollution to River Chanchaga and to evaluate the seasonal variation of some physico - chemical parameter of River Chanchaga. Five different sample sites were used in the study. Parameters studied were Depth, Transparency, Temperature, TDS, Electrical Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, BOD (mg/L), Ammonia (Mg/L), Phosphate (mg/L), Phosphorus (mg/L), Calcium (mg/L), Nitrate (mg/L), Sulphate (mg/L), COD (mg/L), Total Hardness (mg/L), Mg (mg/L) and pH. Results revealed that non of the sample areas met the WHO standard for water quality . There was significant variation in the depth, turbidity and phosphate. Temperature in all the study areas was higher than the 23.5^oC recommended water temperature, and there was significant variation across the seasons. The research therefore recommends treatment of water from this river before consumption or been used for irrigation activities.