Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

ISSN 2756-3251

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 16 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Water Quality Assessment of Shanomi Creek, Niger Delta: Physicochemical Parameters, Heavy Metals, and Bacterial Contaminants

Igbinosa E. O.1*, Uyi O. O.2, Odjadjare E. E.3, Ajuzie C. U.1, Orhue P. O.4 and Adewole E. M.4

1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.
2Animal and Environmental Biology Department, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin,
PMB 1154 Benin City, Nigeria.
3Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, PMB 1100,
Benin City, Nigeria.

4Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, PMB 14, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

Accepted 23 March, 2025

The physicochemical and microbial qualities of Shanomi creeks in the Niger Delta of Nigeria were assessed between January and October 2011. The temperature across sampling stations ranged between 26 and 27.7°C, while pH varied from 7.49 to 8.74. Turbidity ranged from 176.62-189.96 NTU and conductivity varied between 360.45 and 454.88 µS/cm. The concentrations of other physicochemical parameters were as follows: BOD (6.39-7.64 mg/L) COD (84.25-97.27 mg/L); ammonia (26.83-33.98 mg/L); nitrate (37.25-43.89 mg/L); nitrite (37.35-41.75 mg/L); and phosphate (28.83-37.85 mg/L). The relative dominance of metals in the water followed the sequence: Al > Zn > Cu > Fe > Mn > Cd > Pb > Hg > As. Feacal and total coliform densities ranged from 1.05 × 102 to 4.25 × 103 (cfu/mL) and 1.56 × 102 to 6.40 × 104 (cfu/mL) respectively. The study reveals that the water under study was heavily polluted and of serious threat to the aquatic biota and public health.

Key words: Aquatic biota, contamination, pollution, public health, microbial indicators, toxic effects.