Physio-Chemical and Heavy Metals Assessment of River Challawa In Relation To Effluent Discharge in Kano, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1010-5388Keywords:
Physico-Chemical Parameters, Heavy Metals, Water Quality, Industrial Effluent, River ChallawaAbstract
This study was carried out in order to assess the water quality parameters and heavy metals of River Challawa in relation to industrial effluent discharge. Four study sites were selected based on the differences in the activities being done along the river. Water samples were analyzed for quality parameters using standard methods. Physicochemical parameters analyzed were temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate and phosphate, while heavy metals assessed were cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni). Results showed marked variations with means of Turbidity (168.03±16.87 NTU), Nitrate (15.40±4.61 mg/L) and Phosphate (3.67±0.67 mg/L) higher than the WHO safe limits of 25 NTU, 5.0mg/L and 0.3 mg/L respectively. The selected heavy metals in water showed significant variations with means of Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni exceeding WHO guideline limits. The high concentrations of these metals observed could be attributed to the influx of effluents from tanneries, agro-allied industries and various others located in the nearby Challawa Industrial Estate which threatens the ecosystem and public health. It is, therefore, recommended that effluents from the nearby industries should be properly treated before release into the environment.
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