College of Freshwater Fisheries, Baga, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
The study investigated the physicochemical parameter of River Okpokwu in dry and rainy season. The DO was highest at station C (9.03±0.14 and 7.80±0.30) while it was lowest at station a (8.99±0.16 and 7.72±0.28) for dry and rainy season respectively. The highest BOD was recorded at station B (3.19±0.13 in dry season) and A (2.62±0.19) in rainy season)while the lowest (3.09±0.15 and 2.53±0.13 respectively) was recorded at station C. The highest pH (7.10±0.10 and 6.85±0.85) was recorded at station C and B in dry and rainy season respectively while the lowest (6.95±0.10 and 6.81±0.19) was recorded at station A for both seasons, Alkalinity was highest at station B (59.69±1.12) and A (46.03±1.84) while it is lowest at station A (58.68±1.30) and C (45.70±1.72) in dry and rainy season respectively. Hardness recorded the highest at station B (26.28±0.76) and C (22.20±0.68) in dry and rainy season respectively while its lowest at station A (26.23±0.75 and 22.06±0.64) for both season. Phosphate was highest (0.19±0.00) at station A in rainy season and was lowest (0.14±0.01) was recorded at station A in dry season. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between Chloride and Nitrate in the dry and rainy seasons while there was significant difference (p<0.05) between the other parameters in both seasons during the period of study. It was concluded that Physicochemical parameters of water collected from River Okpokwu were within the normal range according to WHO which indicates that water of River Okpokwu is convenient for both aquatic life and domestic use. There was significant difference in both seasons (p<0.05) of Dissolved oxygen, BOD, Free carbon-dioxide, air temperature, water temperature, total dissolved solid, transparency, pH, alkalinity, hardness and phosphate, But there was no significant difference for chloride and nitrate in both seasons (p>0.05).
Keywords: Physicochemical Parameter, river, water