The levels of nitrate, phosphate and total organic carbon (TOC) are good indicators of the total organic matter in aquatic ecosystems. While the physicochemical parameters like temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity and electrical conductivity (EC) indicate the quality and suitability of water bodies for aquatic life. These parameters were evaluated at delineated sampling stations along a lower reach of the River Nun at Amassoma in Bayelsa State, Nigeria following standard procedures, and were compared with World Health Organization Guidelines to ascertain the water quality. The mean ± SD of the data obtained were statisticallyanalyzed (at P<0.05) using One-way ANOVA. The results showed that, temperature ranged from 30.08±0.160 - 31.633±1.184oC, pH from 6.577±0.503 - 6.657±0.767, DO was 4.190±0.339 - 4.380±0.707mg/L, TDS values between 81.99±3.051 and 100.13±5.005mg/L with EC from44.300±0.919 to 54.833±1.317μS/cm, and salinity from 22.800±0.994 - 27.991±2.007mg/L while TOC was 0.002±0.001 to 0.023±0.001% (<0.3% limit). The nitrate and phosphate levels (at < 1.0mg/L) were lower than the 10mg/L and 5mg/L limits respectively. The values of these variables within this reach of the river were indicative of the suitability of this water body for aquatic life and productivity. Thus, the drive for the sustainability of aquatic resources can be bolstered if these values are maintained as much as possible through appropriate, eco-friendly practices and regular monitoring of this water body.
Lelei et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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