Physicochemical Characteristics of Water and Sediment in Mada River, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

摘要

Surface water resources have played an important role in the development of human civilization. Surface water and sediment samples were collected during dry and rainy seasons for the determination of physicochemical parameters. Parameters were determined using standard methods. Physicochemical characteristics of surface water and sediment varied according to season. Variations according to sites did not adhered to any specific trends. Water pH was slightly acidic (pH = 6.72 ± 0.13) during rainy season and alkaline (pH = 7.74 ± 0.11) in dry season. Temperature (28.80 ± 0.84 ℃), nitrate (0.15 ± 0.01 mg/L), phosphate (15.47 ± 0.17 mg/L) and sulfate (28.43 ± 1.03 mg/L) levels in water increased during rainy season. Sediment pH was more acidic (pH = 6.19 ± 0.18) in dry season compared to rainy season (pH = 6.78 ± 0.08). Organic matter (31.43 ± 4.98 %) and phosphate (60.76 ± 2.60 mg/L) contents of sediment increased during rainy season. Changes in water and sediment chemistry might be responsible for the variations in the physical and chemical properties.