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Abstract
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Article Information:
Effect of Pollution on the Physico-Chemical Parameters of Water and Sediments of River Galma, Zaria, Nigeria
J.C. Nnaji, A. Uzairu, G.F.S. Harrison and M.L. Balarabe
Corresponding Author: Jude C. Nnaji
Submitted: 2010 May, 11
Accepted: 2010 June, 26
Published: 2011 June, 05 |
Abstract:
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The River Galma basin around Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, was studied in 2007, in order to
determine whether pollution was responsible for the increasingly low fish catches from the river. This was done
by comparing the physico-chemical parameters of water and sediments in the upstream area before the Zaria
dam where human and industrial population is low with the downstream area after the dam where human
population is high and industries are concentrated. Water and sediment samples were collected from twenty
sampling points (ten points each in both upstream and downstream areas) and thirteen physico-chemical
parameters of the River water were analyzed. Ten physico-chemical parameters of the sediments were also
analysed. Results show that values for pH, total solids, total suspended solids, hardness, nitrate and phosphate
were higher in the upstream area while values for dissolved oxygen, transparency and conductivity were higher
in the downstream area. It was concluded that the physico-chemical parameters of the River water are favorable
for fish production and so pollution may not responsible for low fish landings reported by fishermen. The River
water is also a suitable source of water for the Zaria municipal water works. All parameters, except alkalinity
and phosphate content, had higher mean values in upstream area sediments than in downstream area sediments
and this may be due to the higher residence time of water in the upstream area because of the dam.
Key words: Downstream, physico-chemical, River Galma, sediments, upstream, water,
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Abstract
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Cite this Reference:
J.C. Nnaji, A. Uzairu, G.F.S. Harrison and M.L. Balarabe, . Effect of Pollution on the Physico-Chemical Parameters of Water and Sediments of River Galma, Zaria, Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (4): 314-320.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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