IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS ON THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND SOME TRACE METALS ON EFFURUNTOR RIVER IN UHEGHELI SOUTH LGA OF DELTA STATE NIGERIA

The impact of industrial effluents on the physicochemical qualities of Effuruntor River has been studied at the point of effluents discharge, before and after the point of discharge along the river. Parameters measured include pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, nitrates, phosphates and some trace metals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Pb and Ni). Unacceptable high values were observed for pH (4.87 -5.09), total dissolved solids (528 -1266 mg.L-1), total suspended solids (362 – 628 mg.L-1) and dissolved oxygen (1.80 - 11.20 mg.L-1) in compliance with Federal Environmental Protection Agency of Nigeria (FEPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. However, measured values of the other parameters fell within the approved guidelines. The study therefore revealed that the impact on the physicochemical characteristics of the receiving river was not adverse though more adequate treatment of the effluents is required for dissolved oxygen and total suspended solids which are great precursors to aquatic, plant and health risks. Additionally, values of the trace metals studied were all acceptable within the recommended limits of FEPA and WHO.