Physicochemical And Bacteriological Variables Of River-Nun Along Three Communities In Bayelsa State Nigeria

Abstract

Physicochemical and bacteriological parameters were investigated in river nun along its path with stations situate at Amassoma, Tantua and Tombia communities of Bayelsa State. This was undertaken in order to gauge the effect of human intrusions and show site specific patterns in the effect of pollutants on the health of the river. Physicochemical parameters of Temperature, pH, Turbidity, Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids were investigated. While bacteriological variables of heterotrophic and total coliform bacteria were identified in the water samples. Result was analyzed for means and standard deviation, Analysis of variance was conducted at the 95% confidence to determine the variability and similarities between sampling stations. Turkey post Hoc test was thereafter employed to separate means and show the relatedness between variables. Result from the study indicate that there were significant differences (P<0.05) between all stations in physicochemical variables except conductivity and Total dissolved solids where Amassoma and Tantua were not significantly different (P>0.05) but significantly different from Tombia. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between all stations in heterotrophic bacteria. Heterotrophic bacteria count show that Tombia>Amassoma>Tantua. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between all stations in total coliform bacteria count. However, Amassoma>Tantua> Tombia. The Preponderance of total coliform bacteria in Amassoma and Tantua more than in Tombia is attributable to human activities of open defecation into the river. All total coliform bacteria count exceeded international permissible limit. This imply that the safety and health of people living along the river catchments is in grave danger as the consumption of these water without treatment can be fatal.