Physicochemical Analysis and Seasonal Variations of Sediment and Water Samples from Selected Surface Waters in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The physiochemical properties of sediment and water samples from four surface waters in Anambra State were investigated and their seasonal variations compared. These Physicochemical properties include; temperature, pH , conductivity, colour, total suspended solids, total solids or residues ,total dissolved solids, alkalinity, carbondioxide, total hardness, chloride, Nitrate and Sulphate. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to determine the mineral elements of the sediment and water. A total number of 24 samples; 3 samples per sampling station (an average of 8 samples) were examined in this study. The average high iron and zinc content ranged from 6.4-52.55 and 0.70-10.7 respectively, which were greater than the World Health Organization permissible range for drinking water. Other physiochemical seasonal differences observed fell within recommended ranges. Many physicochemical properties (Temperature, Conductivity, TSS, TS, Zn, Cu, Fe) of the sampling stations of the water and sediment increased within the rainy season. This showed that increased rainfall, subsequent soil erosion and surface runoff during the rainy season increased the concentration of ions in surface waters. The‘t’ test analysis showed a significant difference between the average alkalinity values of the rainy and dry season of the water and sediment.