Evaluating the Physico-chemical, Hydrology And Nutrient Contents of Upper Mbo River, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Introduction: Water is the most important resource for the existence of life on earth and its complete assessment is based on appropriate monitoring of its hydrological components. This study was conducted to assess the physico-chemical parameters of surface runoff of Mbo River using standard methods. Methodology: Thirteen (13) parameters were measured, of which Seven (7) were physical and Six (6) were chemical. Water sampling was carried out every two (2) weeks at the three (3) sites at regular and specific time intervals. At each sampling site, the surface water samples (in replicates of 3) were collected in the middle of the river and stored in clean polythene bottles. Non-conservable parameters such as depth, transparency, temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity were determined at the time of sampling in the field in situ. Dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, biological oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, and nutrients such as 32 nitrate–nitrogen (NO3-N), phosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P), and sulphate (SO42-) were analysed in the laboratory. Results: This study revealed spatial variations in the concentrations of physico-chemical parameters in Mbo River. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) among the stations in the river during the study period, except for water temperature (p < 0.05) variations in any parameter; however, spatial variations in temperature were observed to be significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of physico-chemical parameters obtained in this study indicated that the parameters were affected more on seasonal than spatial scale. It could be concluded that variations in nutrient and physico chemical water quality in Mbo River are both anthropogenic and natural which are more of the challenges.