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ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS OF STUBBS CREEK, IBENO, AKWA IBOM, NIGERIA

The present study examined some physico-chemical characteristics (temperature, pH, total hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solid(TDS), conductivity, transparency, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), acidity and alkalinity) and some heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr and Ni) concentration of Stubbs Creek, Ibeno, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria between August 2014 and July, 2015. Six sampling stations (Mkpanak, Okpot Ikot, Ebana Mbri, Esit Eket, Okpuk and Ikot Ebia Anam) in Stubbs Creek were selected. Water samples were analyzed using APHA-AWWA-WPCF methods while heavy metals in the water samples were digested and determined using UNICAM 939 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean values of water parameters of Stubbs Creek are: temperature (27.22 ± 0.230C); pH (6.83 ± 0.13), DO (3.86 ± 0.20 mg/L), BOD (2.84 ± 0.11 mg/L), conductivity (522.23 ±69.12 µScm-1), TDS (288.83 ± 39.50 mg/L), transparency (0.86 ± 0.05m), alkalinity (95.51± 6.44mg/L), acidity (97.03±7.45) and total hardness(12.11±1.55).Only TDS, conductivity, alkalinity and total hardness showed significant (p<0.05) spatial variation across the sampling stations. However, the values of temperature, TDS, conductivity, alkalinity and total hardness indicated significant seasonal variation. Similarly, there were no significant (p<0.05) spatial and seasonal variation in the values of heavy metals recorded across the sampling stations. All the physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals in this study are below the maximum permissible limit recommended by WHO. The result showed that Stubbs Creek is less polluted at present and safe for the biota. However, responsible use of the water bodies by all and sundry should be maintained in order to preclude problems common with effluents discharge.