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Abstract
This work seeks to analyze the sediment associated with Imo River of Opuoko axis. Sampling was done once from each of the strategic points along the study river using random grab sampling. Samples were collected from the mid – width of the streams in duplicate to improve reliability of data using sterile polyethylene bag and was immediately taken to the laboratory for analysis. The mean values were calculated. The samples for the analysis of benthic organism, sediment particle size and sediment Physico-chemical parameters were collected using an Eckman grab of 10cm diameter and 12 cm long. Three hauls were made at each sampling station by sending the grab down into the bottom and using the messenger to close and grab some quantity of sediment. During the current study it was found that the sediments of Opuoko Imo River are slightly acidic. The results revealed that physical and chemical weathering of minerals and anthropogenic activities played an important role in physio-chemical properties of the sediments. However, it was found that the particle size of sediments in Imo River of opuoko axis ranged from sand to silt, the river sediment pH is acidic across the stations and follows the pattern of the water pH. Comparatively, the sediment is more acidic (6.29) than the water (6.50), the mean value of the sediment pH obtained in this study varied from other reports and In the overall comparison between the sites it can be concluded that the two sites location face more stress of pollution. The study recommends that Periodic monitoring of the river should be strengthened to avoid diseases outbreak in view of the nutritional and socio-economic importance of the River and Wide education and strict enforcement of rules and regulations in relation to international guidelines for the Opuoko community inhabitants and the general public on proper discharge of wastes and the general usage of water ways.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In Nigeria, a large number of rural and suburban dwellers derive their drinking water from groundwater and surface water resources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Therefore, the quality of drinking water remains a critical factor in the Nigerian public health (FMWR, 2000). More so, that Nigeria is among 80 countries of the world reported to be facing water deficit (Ahuja, 2012) calls for reliable information for effective management, preservation and utilization of available natural waters.
Sediments are considered as suitable medium to study the contamination of aquatic environment because they represent the sink of multiple contaminant sources (Sprovieri et al., 2007). Apart from being a final reservoir for these contaminants, sediments act as their secondary sources in relation to changes in environmental physicochemical characteristics and response to human activities such as dredging (Sprovieri et al., 2007; Eggleton and Thomas, 2004). In order to design abatement programmes for contaminated environments, it is often useful to under- stand the behaviour of the contaminants in relation to certain environmental conditions, both physical and chemical.
Sediments are ecologically important components of the aquatic habitat which play a significant role in maintaining the trophic status of any water body (Singh et al, 1997). Additionally, the type and intensity of agricultural land use determine sediment load which play a role in determining the insects which survive in a stream (Dance and Hynes, 1980). Intensive agricultural land use produces modifications which reduce the variety of macro- invertebrate taxa. Agricultural land drainage includes channelization of water courses and Hill (1976) points out that such drainage schemes can have a considerable impact on hydrology, sediment load, water temperature, chemistry and aquatic biology. Welch et al. (1977) found that fish and benthos were less abundant in streams near farms than in those flowing through natural and clear-out forests and they stated that chemical contamination and sedimentation had caused the reduction. Dance and Hynes (1980) stated that a comparison of historical and present day conditions indicates that modifications of the drainage basin have produced drastic effects on the stream which flows through the most intensively farmed basin.
Considering the massive use of the Imo River by communities of Opuoko for drinking, fishing, domestic and recreational activities, it became imperative to analyze the physio-chemical characteristic of Imo River of Opuoko River Axis.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In river system, sediments serve as heavy metals repository, however alterations in ecosystem circumstances such as tidal currents, wind energies and turbulent dynamics, water pH, redox potential, seasonal flooding and storms may cause periodic remobilization of contaminated surface and bottom sediments, thereby making bottom sediments a potential source by releasing heavy metals into the overlying water column (Eggleton and Thomas 2004; Calmano, Hong & Forstner 1993).
However, contaminated sediments are of great concern to humans and wildlife that live within the ambits of Imo River of Opuoko axis. No doubt years of industrial and municipal discharges and agricultural non-point source runoff have contributed to the creation of vast amount of highly polluted sediments that pose serious human and ecological health risk. Sediments near urban areas commonly contain high levels of contaminants (Cook and Well, 1996; Lamberson et al, 1992) which constitute a major environmental problem faced by many human induced aquatic environment (Magalhaes et al, 2007).
The granulometric and mass properties of lake and marine muds are similar, although lacustrine sediments at a given depth are typically finer grained than marine sediments because of lack of tidal currents and higher sedimentation rates. Problems linked to the toxicity of freshwater sediments are the subject of increasing attention on the part of water managers (Literathy and Csanyi, 1994; Seymore et al., 1994; Johansson and Anderson, 1995; Lim and Kiu, 1995). Prygiel et al. (2000) reported that management of contaminated sediments becomes a crucial problem due to past and present industrial activities. Physically complex substrate types (leaves, gravel or cobble, macrophytes, moss, wood) generally support more taxa than structurally simple substrates (sand and bedrock; Hawkins, 1984; Hubert et al., 1996) RPI (1985), Chinda et al. (1999) and Chinda and Braide (2003) have reported low nutrient level for the Niger Delta river system
1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This work seeks to analyze the sediment associated with Imo River of Opuoko axis.
1.4 AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The aim of this work is to analyze the sediment of Imo River of Opuoko. Therefore the primary objective of this study include;
- To determine the particle size
- To identify physio-chemical characteristics of the environment
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is important that a study of this nature is not carried out for the purpose of it, rather of the associated benefit.
Microorganisms associated with post – harvest spoilage of banana still appear somehow strange or not fully understood by many microbiologists or students.
On this premise, the outcome of this study will be very useful to student research in higher institution of learning most especially the science laboratory technology students Rivers State Polytechnic Bori. This study will inform inhabitant of Opuoko about the chemical characteristics of the environment and concentration of other chemicals.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
In carrying out an investigation of this nature, the researcher must be faced with some constraint as they cannot be avoided in conducting this investigation. Some of the limitations faced include lack of funds. Therefore fund was a limiting factor in course of carrying out this research.
Secondly, the time frame allowed for this study was short.
Also, uncompromising attitude of some of the respondents in providing useful information was also a factor that constrained the study. Sourcing of material was a difficult task due to the fact that some materials were not available at the time of this research.