Assessment of some physicochemical parameters of Moussa stream, Bida, Niger State Nigeria

Abstract

The physicochemical characteristics of Moussa stream were studied monthly from January to August 2017 using standard methods and procedure. The results from the stream showed that water Temperature (24.9-27.5 C), Depth (14.7-45.8cm), Flow velocity (0.14-0.23 m/s), pH (6.33-8.6), Dissolved oxygen (3.10- 10.00 mg/L), Biochemical oxygen demand (2.0-7.0 mg/L), Turbidity (61-285NTU), Conductivity (20-63 µ/cm), Alkalinity (8-30 mg/L), Nitrate (0.87-3.85 mg/L), Phosphate (0.31-1.01mg/L) and Sodium (0.9- 13.5mg/L). All the physicochemical parameters were within the maximum permissible limit except Dissolved Oxygen (3.1-10 mg/L). All the parameters showed no significant difference (p>0.05) among all the sampling stations except depth and flow velocity which differed significantly (p<0.05) among all the sampling stations. Similarly temperature, depth and flow velocity showed no significant difference among sampling season. pH, DO, BOD, turbidity conductivity alkalinity, Nitrate Phosphate and Sodium differed significantly among sampling seasons. The deteriorating water quality were implications of pollution stress caused by different anthropogenic activities.