Physio-chemical characterization of sediments of Oligochaeta fauna in Ugboke River, Usen Edo state, Nigeria

An experimental and analytical investigation of the physio-chemical characteristics of Ugboke River Sediments in Usen, Ovia local government area of Edo state, Nigeria was carried out. The research aimed to determine the effects of environmental and human factors on the river’s ecosystem. Experimental specimens of sediments were collected from the River and tested in the Laboratory. The Results showed that the pH of Ugboke River sediments varied from 4.11 to 6.1, its electrical conductivity ranged from 35.00S/cm to 141.00S/cm. There was a direct link between electrical conductivity and pH levels. The mean sediment carbon concentration varied from 0.26 percent to 1.67 percent. Sediment organic matter concentrations varied from 0.34 percent to 2.89 percent on average. Organic carbon and matter levels did not differ across the wet and dry seasons (p > 0.050. The proportion of sand to clay and silt was greatest at all of the locations. Sand > Clay > Silt, indicating that all of the sediments were sandy. Heavy metals have been found in the bottom sediments of the Ugboke River.it was concluded that the ecological evaluation indices showed a potential hazard of heavy metal contamination due to high load of certain heavy metal content in the sediments as influenced by anthropogenic inputs. There was low diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Ugboke River and other parts of Nigeria. Freshwater Biologists should give greater attention to variations in Oligochaeta ecology in the freshwater environment to accurately estimate pollution levels and anticipate the health repercussions of poor water quality.