Water quality of Bomadi Creek in the Niger Delta of Nigeria: assessment of some physicochemical properties, metal concentrations, and water quality index

• Published in: Applied water science Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 36 - 15
• Main Authors: Iwegbue, Chukwujindu M. A., Faran, Timipere K., Iniaghe, Paschal O., Ikpefan, Joan O., Tesi, Godswill O., Nwajei, Godwin E., Martincigh, Bice S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-02-2023; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Biochemical oxygen demand; Boats; Bomadi Creek; Bunkering; Cadmium; Carcinogens; Cluster analysis; Coastal inlets; Comparative Law; Comprehensive pollution index; Copper; Creeks; Creeks & streams; Dissolved oxygen; Dissolved solids; Dry season; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Health risk assessment; Heavy metals; Household wastes; Hydrogeology; Industrial and Production Engineering; International & Foreign Law; Iron; Landfills; Lead; Manganese; Metal concentrations; Metal ions; Metals; Nanotechnology; Oil production; Original Article; Oxygen requirement; Physicochemical processes; Physicochemical properties; Pollution; Pollution index; Private International Law; Rainy season; Risk assessment; Rivers; Solid suspensions; Suspended particulate matter; Total dissolved solids; Total oxygen demand; Total suspended solids; Turbidity; Waste Water Technology; Water analysis; Water hardness; Water Industry/Water Technologies; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water quality; Water quality index; Water quality standards; Water sampling; Zinc; Nigeria; Niger Delta; Health risk assessment; Water quality index; Heavy metals; Bomadi Creek; Comprehensive pollution index
• ISSN: 2190-5487; 2190-5495
• DOI: 10.1007/s13201-022-01804-2

In this study, some physicochemical properties, concentrations of metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn), and the overall water quality from Bomadi Creek in the Niger Delta of Nigeria were assessed over two seasons. Water samples were collected from designated areas along the course of the river and were prepared for analysis by standard procedures. The ranges of the mean values for some water quality indicators were found to be as follows: pH: 7.40–8.17, turbidity (NTU): 20.5–42.3, total dissolved solids (mg L
−1
): 27.5–44.7, total suspended solids (mg L
−1
): 34.1–61.7, dissolved oxygen (mg L
−1
): 3.07–6.53, biochemical oxygen demand (mg L
−1
): 0.13–2.77, total hardness (mg L
−1
): 28.3–60.0, and nitrate (mg L
−1
): 0.37–0.92. Only the turbidity values exceeded the permissible limit of 5 NTU. The concentration ranges (mg L
−1
) for the six metal ions determined were: Pb: 0.01–0.02, Cd: 0.01–0.03, Zn: 0.1–0.3, Cu: 0.03–0.07, Fe: 0.6–0.9, and Mn: 0.01–0.05. There were no significant variations in many of the locations between the wet and dry seasons. The comprehensive pollution index values indicated severe pollution of the Creek, with Cd, Fe, and turbidity, identified as the major contributors to the deteriorated water quality. The sources of high loads of Cd, Fe, and turbidity in this river system include discharges from oil production activities, speed boats, illegal bunkering, and domestic waste dumps. Principal component and cluster analysis were used to establish relationships between the various parameters and sites. The risk assessment indicated adverse non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks arising from human consumption of the water. The risk is higher for children than adults. Therefore, the Bomadi water is considered unsuitable for drinking and other domestic purposes, and remediation is required.