SPATIAL VARIATION IN SELECTED PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BOREHOLE WATER AROUND GAS POWER PLANT FACILITY AND BIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

1DIRISU, C. G. Ph.D; 2NWOGBIDI, K. C Ph.D;, 3ISAAC, U. C. N. Ph.D, & 4IKENYIRI, P. N.
1,2Department of Biology Education,
School of Secondary Education (Sciences),
3Department of Industrial Technical Education,
School of Secondary Education (Technical),
4Department of Electrical/Electronic Education, School of Secondary Education (Technical),
Federal College of Education (Technical) Omoku. Rivers State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Email: chimeziedirisu@fcetomoku.edu.ng

Abstract

Spatial variation of selected physical parameters in borehole (BH) water samples collected from around gas power plant in Obrikom which generates electricity to certain communities of Rivers State, Nigeria was determined on-the site using standard procedures. BH water had higher suspended solids although lower than 500mg//l prescribed limit for drinking water. The results show that BH water pH was (<7.0) thus, slightly acidic, indicating that ground waters had acquired some form of pollution. The values reported were either below or above the maximum permissible limits for drinking water quality standard. Correlation analysis on the selected physical parameters indicated that pH had a negatively insignificant correlation with total dissolved solid (TDS) and Electrical conductivity (EC), r (- 0.67 p>0.05) and r (-0.94, p>0.05) respectively. However, Total Suspended Solid (TSS) had a positive correlation with EC, r (0.88, p>0.05). This implies that acidity of water (pH) is attributed to other factors rather than TSS. This study recommends for the continuous monitoring of water quality in gas power plant facility to protect man and the environment.
Keywords: Borehole water, Electrical conductivity, pH, Total dissolved solids, Total suspended solid

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