Assessment of Physico-Chemical, Heavy Metals and Microbial Characteristics of a Surface Water Resource: The Rumuosi Borrow Pit, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: Rumuosi borrow pit water quality was assessed to determine its physico-chemical, heavy metal, and microbial properties and quality for human use. Study Design: A descriptive research design was employed. One random sample point on each side of the study area was located and sampled following standard procedures. Place and Duration of Study: The Study was carried out on the Rumuosi borrow pit located at the intersection of the East-West Road with the New Port Harcourt Airport Road, Port Harcourt, in southern Nigeria. Methodology: Grab sampling technique was used for sample collection. Water samples were collected using clean and sterile bottles and labeled, placed in an ice-packed coolant bag, and taken to AnalConcept Laboratory Limited for physico-chemical, heavy metal, and microbial properties analyses. Results: Water colour ranged from 217 Pt-Co to 298 Pt-Co, odour: unobjectionable, pH: 6.5 – 6.6, biochemical oxygen demand: 0.42 mg/L– 0.79 mg/L, dissolved oxygen: 4.7 – 5.3 mg/L, phosphate: 0.15 mg/L– 0.27 mg/L, nitrate: 0.3 mg/L– 0.7 mg/L, and total hydrocarbon content: 0.01 mg/L. Alkalinity: 40 mg/L - 100 mg/L, copper (Cu): 0.026 mg/L– 0.047 mg/L, mercury (Hg), lead (Pb): 0.001 mg/L, and total coliform and faecal coliform counts: ≥ 2,400 MPN/100 mL. Mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) levels and coliform counts were at a risk threshold. Conclusion: Water physico-chemical properties were below the standard provisions and good for use as a fish pond and irrigation, but levels of copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), total and faecal coliforms were at hazardous levels. Therefore, the Rumuosi borrow pit water is of bad quality to serve as a source of clean water supply for human use.