Assessment Of Nutrient Load In Unwana River Flow Course

Ibiam J; OJI C.O.; ATIAETUK L.E.; ISU H.E.

Ibiam J 1. Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana PMB 1007 Afikpo, Ebonyi State Nigeria.
OJI C.O. 1. Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana PMB 1007 Afikpo, Ebonyi State Nigeria.
ATIAETUK L.E. Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana PMB 1007 Afikpo, Ebonyi State Nigeria
ISU H.E. 2. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, PMB 1007 Afikpo, Ebonyi State Nigeria

Keywords: : Nutrient, phosphate, UV-Spectrophotometric, danger, methemoglobinemia

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Three water samples were collected from different locations of Unwana River. The parameters analyzed were NH₃-N, NO₃^-, NO₂^- and PO₄^-3 and these were done using UV-spectrophotometric method. The results of the samples showed that Location A has NH₃-N concentration of 1.63 0.17 mg/, B 0.95 0.73 mg/L, C 1.20 0.44 mg/L while NO₃^- in Location A was 0.73 mg/L, B was 0.73 mg/L, C 0.44 0.19 mg/L while NO₂^- concentration in Location A was 0.17 mg/L, B 0.17 0.017 mg/L, C 0.20 while PO₃^-3 concentration in Location A was 12.1 0.39 mg/L, B 11.15 , C 11.43 . The results were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standard. The results showed that NH₃-N, NO₃^- and PO₄^-3 were below the WHO drinking water standard and this did not pose any danger to the users. The results of the analysis indicated that the NO₂^- concentrations were above the WHO permissible limit of drinking water standard and this could pose threat to the persons using the water. High concentration of NO₂^- can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in children. Due to high concentrations of NO₂^- the water should be treated before usage.