Investigation on tranport and mixing processes of water pollutants: an assessment of effluents from some industries in Kano - Nigeria

Abstract

Effluents from industries are one of the major factors contributing to the deterioration and pollution of water quality in Nigeria. Analysis and assessment of the transport and mixing processes of water effluents from some of the industries in Kano state-Nigeria are investigated using standard method of analysis and Buck Scientific Model Atomic Absorption Spectrometer for heavy metals. Effluents from the industries are transported from point sources to single stream. The analysis was meant to detect the presence of Na₂CO₃, Mg, TDS, Ca, Fe, Pb, PO₄, K, Na, and , SO₄. The pH of the effluents was also evaluated. Water samples were taken at three different points along the streams from each site. The results showed that pH value varied significantly among sampling locations which ranged from 7.0 -13 whereas, the total dissolved solid (TDS) was between 5.12  - 1177ppm. Phosphate level ranges between 1.12 - 4.08mg/l. Carbonate level from all the industries ranges between 4. to 10.8mg/l which far exceed the recommended standard value of 0.007mg/l. Sulphate level ranges between 20.4 - 47.6mg/l. The results showed that sodium level from all the samples ranges between 18.7 - 31.8mg/l while calcium level ranges between 1.3 to 3.2mg/l. It was also observed that the values of lead from all the samples ranges between 0.011- 0.160 ppm while that of magnesium ranges between 12- 41 ppm. Iron level is mostly greater than the 12 recommended range of 0.2mg/l and 0.3mg/l set by WHO and SON respectively. It was observed that the concentration of some of the pollutants increases as the water flow from the point source to the next stage as a result of the mixing processes of effluents coming from different sources while some decreases due to the sedimentation of the pollutants along the way as they are being transported from one point to another.

Keywords: Industrial effluents, Water Quality, Mixing Process, Pollution, Physiochemical
parameters, Transport of pollutants.