Physicochemical Properties of Sediments from the Rumuolumeni Axis of the New Calabar River, Rivers State, Nigeria

The impact of anthropogenic activities on the aquatic ecosystem of Rumuolumeni axis of New Calabar River was studied for a period of 12 months spanning through wet and dry seasons. Sediment samples were collected and evaluated for physicochemical parameters and the community structures of the benthos following appropriate standard procedures. Physicochemical parameters for sediment were 5.30±0.19 (pH), 26848±1057.11 μS/cm (EC), 0.26±0.2 %(N), 1.20±0.66 mg/kg (NO3-), 4396.06±2054.68 mg/kg (Cl-), 0.49±0.2 mg/kg (PO43-), 1100.78±335.66 mg/kg (SO42-), 243.88±53.64 mg/kg (THC), 3.9±0.14 % (TOC), 6.77±0.24 % (TOM) and 118.12±21.53 ppm (TPH). Heavy metal concentration in sediment recorded 8.21±0.55 mg/kg (Zn), 6.73±0.32 mg/kg (Cu), 5.59±0.34 mg/kg (Pb), 9.17±2.3 mg/kg (Ni), 8.0±0.25 mg/kg (Cr) and 0.48±1.59 mg/kg (Cd). Almost all the values of the physicochemical properties and heavy metal sediments were above permissible limits. Based on this finding, we now have an update on the current status of this river which has shown clearly that it is polluted and requires an urgent attention to mitigate further deterioration.