Effluent Impact on Water Quality (a Case Study of Aba River in Aba North L.G.A. of Abia State)
CHAPTER ONE
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE
- To ascertain the level of pollution of the river due to the discharged effluents.
- To compare the physical, and chemical parameters in the river with the World Health Organizations acceptable standard for drinking water.
- To suggest or recommend the best ways of discharging effluent in the river.
- To suggest ways of enforcing the methods of effluent discharge.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Water as we know from the knowledge of chemistry is a combination of two molecules of hydrogen to one molecules of oxygen (i.e. H20). And water in its pure state is a colourless, odourless and tasteless liquid. If the water is pure it is expected to boil at 1000c and freeze 40c. Once the water lacks these basic properties, then the water has either been polluted or is no longer safe for consumption. So many factors contribute to the pollution of a river.
We are concerned hire with the waste from industrial sources which are associated with different types of chemical pollutants organic and inorganic toxic chemicals and also microbial organisms. Rivers as have been found out has the ability to purify it’s self when in contact with waste and this is called the self purification capacity of such a river. A river will be helpless in its self purifying capacity if the degree of effluent discharged is high.
The discharge of waste into water (river) sets in motion a chain of events and creates zones along the reaches of water. The zones created are distinguishable into four zones which vary with climatic and hydrographical conditions. The zones include:
- The zone of degradation
- The zone of active decomposition (septic zone)
- The zone of recovery
- The zone of cleaner water
Zone of Degradation: This zone occupies a short stretch below all out fall carrying organic waste into water. The discharge waste (effluent) renders the water turbid, grey-coloured and shut out sun light. As the suspended solid settles and decompose, bacteria activities increases, oxygen reduces while carbon dioxide increases. Lower forms of fungi-bacteria appear and feed on the organic matter. Green plants surviving under reduced growth rate exist. Reddish worms are found at the bottom of the settled sludge.
Zone of Active decomposition (Septic zone): This zone is devoid of dissolved oxygen, hence is in septic condition. The Anaerobic bacteria displace the aerobic bacteria and flourish until the rate of Bio-oxygen demand (BOD) is less than the rate of re-aeration. This zone is marked by greyish water sticking blacking deposit with evolution of gas bubbles and emission of offensive odour. Carbon dioxide decreases. The concentration of ammonia and nitrides are high while that of Nitritates is low. Fish don’t exist in this zone. Some green plants and small worms exist at the lower zone.
CHAPTER THREE
SAMPLING PROCEDURE
The water samples used for this research work were collected from four different locations in the river. This was done in other to have a clear view of the effluent impact on the water. The first sample labelled A was collected near Okpulu Umuobo where the river is free from effluent flows. The second sample was labelled B. The sample was collected at the point of discharge of Unilever Plc’s effluent into the river, which is about 200metres from the point of collection of the first sample. The third sample was collected from the effluent of Nigeria Breweries Plc and was labelled C. The fourth sample, sample D was collected about 200 metres away from sample C.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION
Here all the different data collected will be grouped into physical, chemical and microbiological.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION
Here conclusion is drawn based on the physical, chemical and Microbiological analysed parameters.
A PHYSICAL
Water in its pure state should be colourless, odourless and tasteless. Going by the findings, some portions of the river fall below this established fact. Generally on the water temperature, apart from the discharge point of Nigeria Breweries Plc, the temperature of the water is okay for microbial organisms.
Generally from the physical view of the water, the river water is not portable and requires treatment for one to consume the water.
B CHEMICAL
For a river water to be acceptable there are percentage limit of chemical parameters that should be present. Based on the fore going the World Health Organization stipulated a standard that a drinking water should attend before it will be fit for use. The samples fall less of the standard according to WHO’s guideline.
C MICROBIOLOGICAL
From the microbiological analysis, the river under consideration (Aba River in Aba North L.G.A), the river is grossly polluted. The level of pollution in the river is so high. Based on this, the water is not okay for use unless properly and adequately treated.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the adverse effect of river pollution which among other things include, spread of diseases, disruption of the eco-system, low agricultural yield etc, river pollution as much as possible should be avoided.
Government should make laws prohibiting industries from discharging their effluent into rivers, seas etc without first of all treating the waste to reduce its effect on the receiving water body. Proper sanctions should be given to any industry or company that fails to obey this law.
People should be mindful of the quality of water the use. There is this misconception that water doesn’t kill. When people become mindful of the quality of water they use, they will be able to know when there is a change in the quality of the water they are using and then will be able to trace what is causing the change.
REFERENCES
- Agunwamba, J. C. (2000). Water engineering System. Immaculate Publications Limited Enugu.
- Hornsby, G.A. (2008) Drinking Water Standards http//www.google.com/EDIS.htm.
- Mark, J.H. and Mark J.H. (JNR) (2008). Water and Wastewater Technology Pearson Education, Inc. New Jersy.
- Metcalf and Eddy (2003) Wastewater engineering Treatment & Reuse. Tath McGraw-Hill Publishers New Delhi.
- Offunne, G.C. (2002). The Roles and Responsibilities of Professionals in Implementation of the environmental Impact Assessment Act No. 86 paper Presented in Nibs Seminar on environmental Impact Assessment and Construction projects in 2001.
