IMPACT OF CASSAVA PROCESSING ON THE WATER QUALITY OF SELECTED TROPICAL STREAMS IN DELTA STATE SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Effects of cassava processing on the water quality of selected tropical streams (Atochi, Inyite and Iyida) in Southern Nigeria have been experimentally studied. The study was carried out on a weekly basis for a period of four months within the rainy season (June-September) in the year 2013. Three sampling stations were established along the river courses (upstream, midstream and downstream of the cassava processing site). Results of physico-chemical analysis of the water samples showed that cassava processing caused a decrease in dissolved oxygen and pH and an increase in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total microbial count (TMC), temperature, phosphates, sulphates and nitrates. Using a water quality index (WQI) in classifying water quality of the streams show that the values of the index are generally greater than 2 at sampling points A (downstream) and C (upstream) across the three streams indicating that the water quality at sampling points A and C in the three water bodies is acceptable. However, at sampling point B (mid stream) across the three water bodies the water quality index ranges between 0.6 and 1.06 indicating that the water quality at sampling point B across the water bodies is poor.  Keywords: Cassava, water quality index, streams, southern Nigeria.