Assessment by parameter quality function of Mu River, Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey of the Mu River was carried out between February and July, 2004. Samples of water from three stations (stations 1, 2 and 3) were analysed for physico-chemical parameters. The results of the study shows that, dissolved oxygen ranged between 4.0 – 7.0 mg/l and 61 – 90 % saturation, temperature 26.8 – 30.9^oc, hydrogen ion concentration 5.0 – 7.2, secchi – disc transparency 0.85 – 0.20M, alkalinity 43 – 90 CaCo₃ mg/l, free carbon (IV) oxide 2.2 – 15.4 mg/l and biochemical oxygen demand 1.0 – 3.9 mg/l in all the stations during the sampling period. The analyses of the physico-chemical features using parameter quality function indicate quality appraisals of good grades. This finding was further confirmed by the dominance of macro-invertebrates, not known to have much tolerance to pollution. This also reveals that domestic sewage released into Mu River affected the quality of the water but not to an extent to cause pollution.