Water Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Aba River in Abia State, Nigeria, Using Remote Sensing Techniques

Abstract

Quality of water used for drinking has become a global concern due to ever increasing population and developmental activities that are  polluting water resources. Aba River is threatened by various pollution sources such as industrial and domestic effluents. The aim of the  study was to assess physicochemical properties of Aba River using remote sensing techniques. Six sampling points were selected along  the river using convenient sampling for water samples collection. Landsat 8 data were used to quantify suspended sediments, chlorophyll  a, pH, and temperature in the river. For satellite retrieval analysis ERDAS software was used and quasi analytical algorithms.  For comparing level of parameters with seasons and satellite retrieval, correlation analysis was done. Results were compared with SON  and WHO standards. Strong positive significant correlation was observed between chl_a and temperature (R²=0.79 for dry season and  0.85 for wet season), chl_a (R²= 0.57 for dry season and 0.62 for wet season). TSS R²= 0.40 for wet season and R²= 0.29 for wet season  while pH R²= 0.38 for wet season and R²= 0.34 for wet season. The study recommends that remote sensing techniques through the quasi- analytical algorithm can be used by consultants and natural resource managers to develop management plans for Aba River and as such  the method can be deployed as a mechanism for frequent monitoring of the water quality of Aba River.