Physico-Chemical and Some Trace Metal Analysis of Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria

The physico-chemical parameters and some trace metal contents of Ogba River in Benin City, Nigeria were investigated from January to August 2008. Four stations were studied from upstream to downstream using standard methods. A total of twenty-six physico-chemical characteristics and trace metal contents were examined; Air and water temperatures, depth, transparency, turbidity, flow velocity, pH, total alkalinity, conductivity and dissolved solids. Other includes dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation, biochemical oxygen demand, chloride, phosphate, nitrate, sulphate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, lead, copper, zinc and manganese Thirteen (13) parameters exhibited clear seasonal variations. However, there were significant differences (p 0.05) in the values of depth, flow velocity, BOD5, sulphate, phosphate, nitrate and sodium among the stations. The Benin City wastewater had negatively impacted at station 2 of the river, although the recorded values were still within acceptable limits