COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SURFACE WATER AND GROUND WATER (BOREHOLE) IKO IN EASTERN OBOLO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE, SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA

This project is designed to analyze the Physico-Chemical properties of surface water and ground water (borehole) Iko Town in Eastern Obolo, Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, south Eastern Nigeria. Sample were collected and in-situ parameters like temperature, pH salinity, etc. were analysed immediately at the sampling site. From the in-situ and laboratory analysis result, the highest temperature of surface water was recorded at station 1 to be 32.611.C slightly above that of stations 2 and 3, which recorded temperatures of 31.5oC and 30oC. respectively. The salinity concentration of surface water was recorded to be 18.066 mg/L, 21.5 and 16.055 mg/L, while that of ground water were recorded to be 10.712 mg/L, 10.722 mg/L and 10.611 mg/L at Stations 1, 2 and 3 respectively. High level of salinity could be as a result of increase in temperature because warm water due to high temperature expands and dissolves more salt than cold water. The TDS of surface water were 204 mg/L, 215 and 215 mg/L compared to that of ground water; 40.650 mg/L, 31.5 mg/L and 32. mg/l. This is a result of run-off and erosion from catchment areas leading to high value of Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) in the 3 stations. Phosphorus, silicate and other organic nutrients were also high in surface water compared to that of ground water as a result of environmental pollutant runoff or influx in the water body from neighbouring farmlands. Most of the parameters analyzed, showed concentration within the level of WHO standard making it safe for use.