Assessing Ecosystem Health: A Comparative Study Using Water Quality Index Analysis across Ten Lotic System in the Cross River System

Abstract

This review synthesizes findings from 10 scientific publications utilizing the weighted arithmetic Water Quality Index (WQI) to assess the status of diverse water bodies (Ikpa River, Lower Enyong Creek, Nwaniba River, Imo River, Etim Ekpo River, Lower Qua Iboe River, Ibeno Estuary, Cross River, Ikot Ebak River and Oboroenyin River) all within the Cross River System. The Analysis reveals that 6 out of 10 sampled water bodies are moderately polluted, while the remaining 4 exhibit slight pollution levels. These findings underscore significant concerns regarding water quality degradation, predominantly attributed to industrial effluents, agricultural runoff and urban contaminants. The WQI proves effective in consolidating multiple water quality parameters into a comprehensive index, facilitating a holistic assessment of pollution levels and guiding management strategies. Moving forward, concerted efforts are imperative to enhance monitoring efforts, implement stringent regulatory measures, and adopt sustainable practices to safeguard freshwater resources globally. This review underscores the urgency of integrated approaches to mitigate pollution and ensure resilience of aquatic ecosystems and public health.