Analytical Studies on Pollution Index of River Woji in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Evaluation of the physico-chemical parameters of the Woji river was conducted to investigate the extent of pollution on the river. Ten water samples were collected from the surface and subsurface layer of the river starting from the point where municipal waste is disposed directly into the river. Replicate samples were also collected at 20 m interval along the course of the river. Results of analyzed samples reveal mean values of temperature 20.0°C±03, pH 6.1-6.4±0.2, conductivity 390.1-410.8±7.3 (μS cm-1), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 21.0-23.0±0.7 mg L-1, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) 1200.0-1300.0±36.4 mg L-1, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 2.4±0.3 mg L-1, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 3.0-3.0±0.1 mg L-1, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 131.4-132.7±0.9 mg L-1, Total acidity 3.8-4.7±0.4 mg L-1 and total hardness 80.1-83.0±1.5 mg L-1. The values of the physcio-chemical parameters of the Woji river when compared to a reference sample are higher which could be an indication of pollution.