ABSTRACT

The impact of effluent discharges from Nigerian breweries Aba on Aba River was investigated. The studies were conducted on three sampling stations. Station A was located 30m up the discharging point and served as control Station B and C were located at the point of discharge and 30m down point of discharge respectively. The sampling programme and technique were such that spatial and temporal variations in the physicochemical factors might be revealed. Major important water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, BOD5, nutrients and heavy metals etc were investigated. One-way, two-way analysis of variance and students' t-test were used to analyze the values obtained. Orthogonal comparisons were also employed to compare the means of the samples analyzed. The study lasted from July-October 2009 and samplings were done twice a month. All the parameters of effluent receiving stations are higher than the non-effluent receiving station except in temperature where they are closely the same. Temperature, salinity, and lead are significantly (P<0O5) higher in comparison of effluent receiving stations and non-effluent receiving station. The result of the study revealed that Aba River is under pollution stress due to the effluent discharges from Nigerian breweries Aba. >