ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SEDIMENTS IN THE ORISA RIVER, OMU-ARAN, NIGERIA

Physicochemical parameters are naturally occurring substances found in the Earth's crust; an excessive amount of them in soil or water can be detrimental to both the environment and human health. There is little information about the assessment of sediments available in Omu-Aran, Nigeria. This study is aimed at determining the level of physicochemical contamination of sediments in Orisa River, Omu Aran, Nigeria. A total of 30 sediment samples were collected from five different sampling locations along the river, including a control station, over three weeks to determine the level of contamination by physicochemical parameters. The physicochemical parameters of the sediment samples were obtained by applying the standard methods. The analysis of data was achieved using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The mean values of parameters in the soil samples from various sampling points varied from: 0.01±0.00 and 2.94 ±0.06mg/L, 0.43±0.03 to 2.73±0.04 mg/L, 0.13±0.03 to 1.6±0.21d mg/L, 11.83±1.72 to 28.17±1.72 mg/L, 8.71±0.04 to 1.45±0.29 mg/L, 12.42±0.03 to 2.76±0.07, 27.77±0.05 to 27.13±0.05 for magnesium, nitrate, Phosphate, chloride, total dissolved solid, Electrical conductivity, temperature respectively. The results from the study also showed significant differences in the various parameters, except for temperature, and they were within the WHO regulatory standards. The Activities within the Orisa River do not harm the sediments in the River. It was then recommended that periodic monitoring and assessment of water and sediments in the study area be carried out (for preservation of this natural resource).