PHYSIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY OF OYIGBO OIL CENTER AREA IN AFAM-NTA COMMUNITY, RIVERS STATE

Abstract

Aim of the study: this study aimed to examine the ground water quality of Oyigbo oil center area a case study of Afam-nta community, Rivers State. Methodology: Groundwater sample was collected from seven (7) different locations (well) covering the area of Afam-nta Community. The groundwater samples were collected in sterilized plastic containers or good quality of screw capped polyethylene bottles of 500ml capacity. Sampling was carried out without adding any preservatives in bottles. About 100mls of the sample was measured in a conical flask and 1ml of potassium chromate indicator was added. The solution was titrated with AgNO3 solution until the appearance of brick red colour as the end point. Whatman filter paper was first dried in an oven, brought out, allow to cool, weighted and its initial weight was noted. The cuvette was filled with 6mls of sample and content of one packet of H193728-0 was added, and shaken for 50 seconds. The cuvette was inserted into the instrument and the reading was taken using H183200 multi-parameter photometer. The cuvette was filled with 10mls of sample while 10 drops of H193717A-O Molybdate reagent and content of one packet of H193717B-O were added. The cuvette was inserted into the instrument and the reading was taken using H183200 multi parameter photometer. A measured quantity of the sample were transferred into kjeldahl flask; 20ml of concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) was added and the sample pre-digested by heating gently for 20 mins. More acid was there after added and digestion was continued for 30-40 mins. The resulting solution was analysed for heavy metals using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results: The most common dissolved mineral substances are sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate and sulphate. The samples collected was tested for these physic chemical parameters. This result shows a slight change with respect to the W.H.O standards. The ground water samples that have values of PH below WHO limit, higher pb, fe2+, TDS, conductivity, Ca2+, Hco3, So42-, No3, on the basis of WHO specifications, the ground water cannot be regarded as portable owing to its high coliform counts and acidic nature, from our study, the sample investigated has PH less than WHO. Limit which indicates that the water sample is acidic which may be as a result of acid rain or dissolution of other poisonous metals. The corrosive effect of these gases may be associated with the high rate of respiratory tract diseases in the area. Conclusion and Recommendations: this study concluded that ground water quality is bad and contain heavy metals dissolves in it that has several environmental and health implication on man, animal and plants. Hence, government should drink water should exceed the physical, chemical, and biological parameters to produce portable and acceptable drinking water.