ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF RIVER FETE, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The physico-chemical properties of River Fete, Benue State, Nigeria were investigated from January to
December, 2016 to determine its water quality. Water samples were collected from five sites chosen to
reflect human impacts, lentic and lotic characteristics of the river ecosystem for the analysis of the
parameters. Temperature, pH, conductivity and total dissolved solids were measured in situ using Hanna
PH/EC/TDS tester and mercury-in-glass thermometer while Transparency was measured using secchi disc.
The chemical factors were analyzed according to the standard procedure for examination of water and
waste water. Two- way ANOVA at p<0.05 were used to analyze the result using GLM procedures of the
statistical analysis system (SAS). The result showed water temperature ranging from 26.12oC to 27.23 oC,
total hardness (156.41mg/L to 224.52mg/L). The mean values of; pH ranged from 6.62 to 7.46, dissolved
oxygen 5.11mg/L to 6.96mg/L, biological oxygen demand 1.81mg/L to 2.28mg/L, Chloride 116.84mg/L to
253mg/L, the nutrients levels ranged from 0.97-1.89 mg/L for nitrate, 1.94-4.95) mg/L for phosphate and
(17. 32-28.50) mg/L for sulphate. Significant variations were observed in the parameters by season and
stations with nutrients being highly abundant in wet season. It can be concluded that the water is suitable
for fish culture.