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ABSTRACT
The rate at which environmental contamination occurs in our world today is alarming. This contamination mainly occurs as a result of man’s activities aimed and survival and development. This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics of and concentration of iron in water and sediment of Ogba and Ikpoba rivers, both in Benin City, Edo State. Water and sediment samples were collected at monthly intervals from November 2021 to January 2022. Standard analytical procedures were applied in the determination of physicochemical properties of the samples while iron concentration was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). From the physicochemical analysis of water and sediment samples, all mean values obtained were within regulatory limits of the World Health Organisation except for pH and dissolved oxygen in water and pH in some sediment samples which were strongly acidic. At p > 0.05, there were no significant differences in physicochemical parameters for water and sediment samples for both rivers with the exception of electrical conductivity and nitrate in water. Heavy metal analysis showed that sediment samples had higher concentrations of iron than water samples. The mean concentrations of iron in water and sediment samples in Ikpoba river were greater than those in samples from Ogba river, however, there were no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the concentrations of iron in water and sediment samples for each river. The concentrations of iron in the samples were all within regulatory limits and, as such, were not a threat to human or environmental health. To ensure the continual safety of these water bodies, it is recommended that routine monitoring be carried out.
