BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL QUALITY OF RURAL WATER SOURCES IN ZARIA, NIGERIA.
BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL QUALITY OF RURAL WATER SOURCES IN ZARIA, NIGERIA.
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Date
1998-09
Authors
HASSAN, ALI SANUSI
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Abstract
This work examined water samples from sources in selected rural communities of
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria for biological and physico-chemical quality of the
water from June, 1993 to May, 1995. The biological quality parameters measured
indicate widespread E. coli and S. faecalis contamination with the on-set of rainy
season; and widespread physico-chemical restriction of the relative abundance and
life diversity on the inhabiting biota. However, S. faecalis appeared to be exclusively
related to close proximity to liquid point sources. The biological index of pollution
(BIP) indicates that the sources ranged from moderate decomposition (betasaprobic)
to being poly-saprobic during 5 out of 24 periods of sampling. Water
quality was significantly affected by rainfall in addition to proximity of water sources
to liquid point sources ( Pit latrine and gutters) as well as surface run-off during the
rainy season, which all were associated with significant increases in the
concentration of faecal coliform and faecal streptococci, COD, and P04-P were
above the recommended limits set for water quality intended for human
consumption. With the exception of Pb, Fe, BOD, pH, TS, all parameters varied with
season (P < 0.01). The variation in COD and Temperature was mild ( P < 0.05).
Significant positive correlation between biological and physico-chemical parameters
were recorded. The phytoplankton species made up of 15 genera were positively
correlated with macrinvertebtrates, BOD, Mg, Mn and specific conductivity of the
water (P < 0.0). Zooplankton species made up of 8 genera were found to increase
with corresponding increase in TS, SS, Ca, Mg, Mn, DO, pH, water hardness,
macronutrients and BOD (P < 0.01). The indicator MPN-indices correlated positively
with increase in hardness, conductivity, OD, macronutrients, BOD and zooplankton
species (P < 0.01). Further, the E cpji correlated with SS, TS, St faecalis
correlated negatively with increase in pH (P < 0.01). Temperature, pH, SS, TS and
metal concentrations were within the acceptable limits of water quality
Description
A Dissertation submitted to the Postgraduate School, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy
Degree in Environmental Biology.
Department of Biological Sciences,
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria.
September, 1998
Keywords
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL,, BIOLOGICAL,, RURAL WATER,, ZARIA, NIGERIA