PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND HEAVY METAL IN AFA STREAM UGWUAJI, ENUGU STATE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical properties and heavy metal content of Afa Stream in Ugwuaji, Enugu State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from three different locations along the stream: upstream, midstream, and downstream. The samples were analyzed for various physicochemical parameters, including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total hardness, nitrates, phosphates, sulfates, chlorides, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), fluorides, carbonates, potassium, and sodium. The results showed that the water quality parameters were generally within the acceptable limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. However, the levels of some heavy metals, such as copper, mercury, cobalt, zinc, iron, and cadmium, were found to be higher than the WHO recommended limits in some of the samples. This suggests that the stream may be contaminated with heavy metals from anthropogenic activities, such as mining and industrial activities. Further studies are needed to identify the sources of heavy metal contamination and to develop strategies for remediating the stream.
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