Bioscience Methods 2018, Vol.9, No.1, 1-11
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(0.37-0.5 mg/l) (Ogamba et al., 2015a), Nun River at Amassoma axis (0.39-1.466 mg/l) (Ogamba et al., 2015c),
and with consonance with the value of 1.77-3.60 mg/l observed in Epie creek by Izonfuo and Bariweni (2001).
The magnesium content in the water is higher than the standard specified for drink water by Nigerian drinking
water quality agency and lesser than the World Health Organization (Table 3).
2.17 Sodium
Sodium level in the water was in the range of 3.55-4.84 mg/l. There was significant variation (P<0.05) among the
various locations (Table 1). Sodium showed negative significant correlation with biological oxygen demand at
P<0.01 (Table 2). The concentration of sodium observed in this study had some similarity with the values
previously reported in Epie creek (2.27-16.02 mg/l) (Izonfuo and Bariweni, 2001; Ben-Eledo et al., 2017), and far
higher than the values observed in Kolo creek (0.58-0.68 mg/l) (Ogamba et al., 2015a), Nun River at Amassoma
axis (0.55-1.31 mg/l) (Ogamba et al., 2015c), and lower than the values reported in Taylor creek (7.42 mg/l) (Daka
et al., 2014). High level of sodium in the water depicts nutrient level in the water. Sodium concentration is lesser
than the standard specified for drink water by Nigerian drinking water quality agency (Table 3).
2.18 Potassium
The potassium level in the water samples ranged from 1.17-1.38, being not significantly different (P>0.05) except
for location A. Potassium showed negative significant relationship with biological oxygen demand at P<0.05
(Table 2). The potassium concentration observed were lower compared to the values previously reported in Epie
creek (2.24-5.26 mg/l) (Izonfuo and Bariweni, 2001; Ben-Eledo et al., 2017), and higher than the values observed
in Kolo creek (0.31-0.36 mg/l) (Ogamba et al., 2015a), Nun River at Amassoma axis (0.33-0.82 mg/l) (Ogamba et
al., 2015c), The potassium content is reflects the level of activities enriching the water with potassium content.
The cations (viz: Calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium) is vital is evaluating the nutrient and productivity
of aquatic ecosystem (Ben-Eledo et al., 2017). The trend of cations in this study were in the order;
calcium>sodium>magnesium>potassium. This trend has been previously reported in Epie creek by Ben-Eledo et
al. (2017), Izonfuo and Bariweni (2001).
Parameters such as total hardness, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium and dissolved oxygen were
significantly higher in Location A-an area close to oil and gas installations. Furthermore, total alkalinity, sodium,
and bicarbonate were higher in Location B (Gbarantoru axis) and water pH, conductivity, total dissolved solid,
total suspended solid and biological oxygen demand were significantly higher in Location C (Tombia town), while
salinity were same in all the locations, and potassium were significantly higher in location B and C. These trends
suggest that different anthropogenic activities are influencing different water quality parameters under study at
different locations.
3 Conclusion
The physiochemical characteristics of Nun River were assessed around Tombia and Gbarantoru in Yenagoa local
government area of Bayelsa state. Results showed that there were significant variation (P<0.05) among the
various locations for majority of the parameters. The study also showed high concentration with regard to chloride,
sulphate, magnesium, nitrate, total hardness and dissolved oxygen, and pH tending toward acidity in water
samples close to oil and gas installations. On the overall, the water quality was within the limits for drinking water
as established by Nigeria Drinking Water Quality and World Health Organization except for pH, turbidity and
magnesium. Due to the parameters that exceeded the permissible limits, there is the need for treatment before use
within the study area.
Author’s contributions
Author OAA conceived the idea and carried out the experimental design. Author ODU carried the sampling, laboratory analysis and
managed the literature search. Author SCI carried out the statistical analysis. All authors involved in draft manuscript preparation and
approved the final manuscript.
