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ABSTRACT
The proliferation of aquatic organisms and eutrophication in rivers are closely correlated with phosphorus (P), a major indicator. The distribution and speciation of P in sediments of Ovia River in Benin City, Nigeria were investigated by analyzing sediment and water samples collected during a study period of three months (November 2021 – January 2022). Physicochemical properties such as temperature and pH were also examined. Results showed that the concentrations (ranges) of total phosphorus (TP) in sediments to be from 377–2811 µg/g. The concentrations of TP and different forms of P varied across the study period in the sediments, displaying an increasing trend from November to January. The temperature of the water with a range of 20 – 33°C was observed to decrease with a corresponding increase in P content in water (water-P) across the study period from November to January. This was attributed to the harmattan or dry season in Nigeria. Only the pH from the month of January was observed to be within the recommended permissible limit by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of 6.5 - 8.5. The concentration values of water-P with a range of 64 - 281 µg/L are above 0.03 mg/L which is the recommended permissible limit for phosphorus in water by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The monitoring and maintenance of phosphorus levels in water bodies is important in mitigation eutrophication of water bodies.
