Assessment of water quality used for irrigation along Romi River of Chikun LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria
The discharge of the industrial effluents into water bodies causes not only a direct mutilation of water physicochemical features but also instigates detrimental effects on the ecosystem and consequently the human health. The quality of water used for irrigation on selected sites along Romi River in Chikun LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria, was assessed. Water samples were collected from five different locations; Agyeita (ATW), Ungwan Tanko (UTW), Karatudu (KTW), Ungwan Markus (UMW), Ungwan Zarmai (UZW) and a control site (CTW). Physicochemical analysis for pH, DO, COD, BOD, turbidity, TH, TDS and EC were carried out using standard methods. Water samples were digested using concentrated nitric acid and the heavy metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS).The water quality index (WQI) and heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) of the water were calculated. The results for the WQI indicated that water from UTW (48.51) and CTW (43.76) were of good quality, UMW (61.65) poor, ATW (79.92) very poor, KTW (155.67) and UZW (165.04) unfit. The HEI of the water indicated that water samples ATW (8.73) and CTW (3.09) were < 10 which implies the pollution at this site is low, water sample UZW (17.06) with index 10 – 20 which indicates the pollution is moderate, while KTW (26.22), UTW (28.70) and UMW (42.44) the pollution is high (> 20) hence not suitable for consumption or irrigation purposes. By extension, when the plants are consumed by livestock and humans, possible health hazards can be developed. The water along river Romi is unsafe for irrigation and drinking purposes hence could be harmful for plant and human health.
Keywords: Evaluation index, Heavy metals, Irrigation, Pollution, Water Quality Index.
*Correspondence: zakkayashim@gmail.com, 08169024957
Download Paper