ABSTRACT
The physiochemical properties of water along Ikpoba river basin and Ikpoba dam were assessed and determined monthly from the date of 26th August 2021 to the 17th of December 2021. This analysis was conducted to ascertain the viability of the water resource at Ikpoba River for Agricultural purposes, as well as detect the presence or absence of pollutants in the River as heavy metal, microbial, or hydrocarbon pollutants. Further analysis was done to draw relationships between pollution accumulation rate at Ikpoba River and activities that occur around or in Ikpoba River. Sample locations were five (5) across the length of the river at GPS co-ordinates, 6°24’18”N 5°38’19”E, 6°21’34”N 5°38’46”E, 6°22’26”N 5°38’50”E, 6°21’06”N 5°38’48”E, 6°20’03”N 5°39’49”E. Also the dam had three (3) sampling locations at GPS co-ordinates, 6°22’43”N 5°38’45”E, 6°22’42”N 5°38’45”E, 6°22’40”N 5°38’44”E. The analytical technique used to test water samples for physiochemical properties, from Ikpoba river was the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Heavy metals presence were detected and their respective concentrations were determined, along the Ikpoba River and at the Ikpoba Dam, such as Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), and Manganese (Mn) in water. The major pollutant and toxin identified in the river was lead heavy metal, with a seasonal accumulation rate of about 0.02365 mg/l per month, while the biochemical oxygen demand had a seasonal decline rate of about 0.14mg/l per month. The most abundant substance detected in the river was chloride (ion). Other physiochemical properties detected at Ikpoba River were pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, suspended solids, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, alkalinity, hardness, sulphate, nitrate, ammonium-N, and phosphate.
