ABSTRACT

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content of Imo River was studied as a means of determining the level of pollution in the river. Water samples were collected aseptically from three points in the river; upstream, midstream and downstream on daily basis for five days. Parameters of analysis covered the physico-chemical properties of the water in addition to the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC). Obtained results showed strong variations in the physic-chemical composition of the water between the samples of the sampling points on one hand and between the sampling days on the other. On the average (of five day sampling), the pH was 6.5 in the upstream water, 6.49 in the midstream and 6.6 in the downstream water; and the acidity of the sample from the three points were 10.38mg/l, 10.32mg/l and 10.04mg/l respectively. Hardness in the water samples was 10.75mg/l, 8.76mg/l and 9.06mg/l while the Total Solids was 226.86mg/l, 246.33mg/l and 245.40mg/l. When compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, the water was found to be of poor quality. Results of the analysis show an average Dissolved Oxygen (DO) level of 11.09mg/l, 10.69mg/l and 9.83mg/l while the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content was 0.04mg/l, 0.04mg/l, 0.06mg/l in the upstream, midstream and downstream respectively. The water was judged to be polluted and unfit for use especially in homes for domestic works. The establishment of a treatment plant was recommended for the Imo River water. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication          iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Contents            v-vii

List of Tables viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE   

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Aims and objectives 2

 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 3

2.1.1 Sources of Dissolved Oxygen 4

2.1.2 Temperature Impact 4

2.1.3 Environmental Impact 5

2.1.4 Factors that Influence Dissolved Oxygen 5

2.1.5 Natural Factors 5

2.1.6 Human Factors 6

2.1.7 How Dissolved Oxygen Affects Water Supplies 6

2.1.8 Importance of Dissolved Oxygen 6

2.1.9 Applications of Dissolved Oxygen 7

2.2 Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 8

2.2.1 Sources of Organic Carbon 9

2.2.2 Natural Sources 9

2.2.3 Anthropogenic Sources 9

2.2.4 Effects of Total Organic Carbon on Water Quality              9

2.2.5 Effects of Total Organic Carbon on Wild Life 10

2.2.6 Productivity and Food Web Effects 10

2.2.7 Applications of Total Organic Carbon 12

2.3 Physico-chemical Parameters 12

2.3.1 pH 12

2.3.2 Temperature 13

2.3.3 Total Hardness 13

2.3.4 Total Solids 14

2.3.5 Nitrate 14

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Source of Water Sample 15

3.2 Water Sampling 15

3.3 Determination of Dissolved Oxygen 15

3.4 Determination of Total Organic Carbon 16

3.5 Determination of the Physico-chemical Properties 17

3.5.1 Determination of pH 17

3.5.2 Determination of Temperature 17

3.5.3 Determination of Total Hardness 17

3.5.4 Determination of Total Solids 18

3.5.5 Determination of Nitrate 18

3.6 Statistical Analysis of Data  19

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Results 20

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Discussion 31

5.2 Conclusion 32

5.3 Recommendation 32

REFERENCES

APPENDIX