Comparative studies of physico-chemical parameters and Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) of Choba and Iwofe axis of the New Calabar River in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Monitoring physicochemical parameters is important in water quality management. This study examined some physicochemical parameters of the Choba and Iwofe axis of the New Calabar River in the Niger Delta relative to anthropogenic activities in the area. Both in situ and laboratory analysis of the water samples were done. Data analysis was also done using the SPSS version 25 and results compared with regulatory standards. Temperature was highest at Iwofe (stn. 4), 28.24 oC; Choba (stn. 1) was more acidic, pH 5.57; stations at Iwofe had highest electrical conductivity with a value of 613.68 µS/cm; nitrate was above permissible limits across the study area, with an average value of 15.83 mg/l; sulphate was below permissible limits across stations, with an average value of 19.24 mg/l; Iwofe (stn. 3) was the most turbid, with a value of 62.7 NTU; chloride was below permissible limits, with an average value of 47.88 mg/l; phosphate exceeded permissible limits, with an average value of 2.35 mg/l; while THC values at three stations had an average of 0.9 mg/l. The result showed a statistically significant difference in temperature, Conductivity, turbidity, nitrate and sulphate across the study area (p<0.05) while values of pH, chloride and phosphate did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between the stations examined. The study concluded that there was an imbalance in the levels of physicochemical parameters of the water bodies studied when compared with regulatory limits of WHO. These inconsistences were attributed to the introduction of extraneous materials into the water bodies due to human activities, emphasizing the need for proper waste management practices in these areas.