WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITIES OF EKOLE RIVER, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

A study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical and heavy metal contents of the water and heavy sediments of Ekole River in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Water and sediment samples were collected in the dry (December/ January) and wet (June/July) seasons during 1003 and 7004. Surface water up to 15cm depth and sediments were sampled at nine locations: 100, 200,400.500m upstream; 0. l00,100, 300.400111 downstream of an oil flow station. The samples were analyzed for total suspended solids (TSS). pH. chloride, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and heavy metals. These parameters were either measured in-situ using appropriate meters or analyzed in the laboratory using standard methods. The results obtained were compared with the Baseline EeologicaI Data for 'Gbaran Extended Field', upstream of the study area. World Health Organization and the Federal Enviromental Protection Agency's standards for water quality.