Abstract

Ntawogba stream is one of the natural water bodies that drain the marshy swamp forest water from Port Harcourt municipality into Amadi Creek which empties into the Bonny estuary. Water quality assessment was carried out for three consecutive months (July - September) across three sampling points (upstream, midstream, and downstream). The physical parameters pH, temperature, EC, and turbidity were measured in-situ. The concentration of the anions Cl-, NO3- and PO42- were determined using standard analytical methods according to APHA 1998. TSS and TDS were determined gravimetrically while the levels of Mg and Ca were determined titrimetrically. Spectroscopic analysis was carried out for nine heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Co, and Pb) using AAS. The microbial population was measured by the standard plate method using nutrient agar. Pearson correlation coefficients provided considerable insight into the water quality of this stream and the correlation between the various parameters. High correlation coefficients are observed between parameters. ANOVA results showed that there was no significant difference in the mean values of the parameters for the period of study. Ntawogba stream is highly polluted and there is an urgent need to address this problem to protect the water body, maintain good water quality and enhance its use.

Key words: Bonny estuary, heavy metals, microbial population, Ntawogba stream, pollution, Pearson correlation, water quality.