Synergism between Season, pH, conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) of Imo River quality for agricultural irrigation
Paper Details
Synergism between Season, pH, conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) of Imo River quality for agricultural irrigation
Abstract
Quality of fresh water sources as influenced by season and physicochemical characteristics is a major consideration for use in agricultural irrigation programs. Seasonal values and variations of pH, Conductivity, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and their interactions in Imo River quality were determined under standard analytical methods. Water samples were collected for two seasons – dry and rainy, at seven major locations of human activities – Ekenobizi, Udo, Owerrinta, Alulu, Owaza, Akwette and Obigbo along the River. There were significant variations in seasons (P < 0.05) for all parameters at all the locations. Conductivity and TDS values increased during the rainy season than during the dry season. The pH (5.18 – 6.35) at some locations was acidic. Conductivity (0.01 – 64.00 µS/cm) and TDS (1.9 – 1600mg/L) did not exceed acceptable standards for irrigation water. Correlation at R = 0.85 showed that as the pH increased, TDS and Conductivity increased and as TDS increased, the Conductivity increased. This implied that increased rainfall and subsequent soil erosion and anthropogenic activities might have increased the concentration of ions in the River. Ions in the River might be absorbed by plants and might also accumulate to concentrations high enough to cause crop damage or reduced crop yields on irrigated soils. An acidic pH value is an implication that the River might need further evaluation. The values are satisfactory for the use of Imo River for agricultural purposes (irrigation).
Akoma OC. 2008. Phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics of a tropical estuarine system,Imo River Estuary, Nigeria. African Journals Online 2(2), 253-264
APHA/AWWA/W/WPCF. 1985. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 16th ed. American Public Health Association Washington D.C. p. 76 – 538.
Ayers RS, Westcot DW. 1976. Water quality for agriculture. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 29, FAO, Rome. p. 97.
Bezuidenhout CC, Mthembu N, Puckee T, Lin J. 2002. Microbiological evaluation of the Mhlathuze River Kwazulu-Natal (RSA) Water SA; 28(3), 281-286.
Campbell PGC, Stokes PM. 1985. Acidification and toxicity of metals to aquatic biota. Canadian Journal of Fish and Aquatic Sciences 42, 2034-2049.
CSD (Commission on Sustainable Development). 1997. Proposed outcome of the special Session on Freshwater Resources, Fifth session of CDS, 8-25 April.
FAO. 1999. Poverty and Irrigated Agriculture. FAO, Rome.
FAO. 2003. World Agriculture: towards 2015/2030. FAO, Rome.
FAO. 2006. World Agriculture: towards 2030/2050. FAO, Rome.
FEPA. 1991. Effluent limitation guidelines in Nigeria for all categories of industries. Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette.
Gundersen P, Steinnes E. 2003. Influence of pH and TOC concentration on Cu, Zn, Cd, and Al speciation in rivers. Wat Res. 37, 307-318.
Loch DS, Poulter RE, Roche MB, Carson CJ, Lees TW, O´Brien L, Durant CR. 2006. Amenity Grasses for Salt-Affected Parks in Coastal Australia, Horticulture Australia Ltd project number TU02005.
Odokuma LO, Okpokwasili GC. 1993. Seasonal Ecology of Hydrocarbon-utilizing microbes in the surface waters of a river. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 27, 175-191.
Ojo OD, Connaughton M, Kintomo AA, Olajide-Taiwo LO, Afolayan SO. 2000. Assessment of irrigation systems for dry season vegetable production in urban and peri-urban zones of Ibadan and Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria. Afri. J. Agric. Res. 6(2), 236-243.
Shahinasi E, Kashuta V. 2008. Irrigation water quality and its effects upon soil. Tirana Agricultural University, Tirana, Albania. BALWOIS – Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia.
UNEP. 2008. In Dead Water. Merging of Climate Change with Pollution, Over-harvest, and infestations in the World’s Fishing Grounds. UNEP/GRID-Arendal, Norway.
Chinedu Emeka Ihejirika, John Didacus Njoku, Cosmas O Ujowundu, Stanley Uchenna Onwudike, Christopher Ndubuisi Uzoka, 2011. Synergism between Season, pH, conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) of Imo River quality for agricultural irrigation. J. Biodiv. Environ. Sci., 1(5), 26-31.
Copyright © 2011 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.