INVESTIGATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER QUALITY IN SOMBRERO AND ORASHI RIVERS, NIGER DELTA

Abstract

Water quality is fundamental to environmental sustainability, ecosystem integrity, and human well-being. It is determined by the interplay of physical, chemical, and biological parameters that collectively indicate the suitability of water for drinking, agriculture, recreation, and industrial activities. In the Niger Delta, a region renowned for its rich biodiversity and complex hydrological networks, maintaining high water quality is critical. The delta’s intricate system of rivers, estuaries, and wetlands supports diverse flora and fauna, including numerous fish species and aquatic plants that are essential for nutrient cycling and ecological balance. These water bodies also provide vital services for local communities, such as potable water, fisheries, transportation, and irrigation. However, pressures from population growth, industrial activities, and environmental pollution threaten the ecological and socio-economic functions of these rivers. Understanding and monitoring the physico-chemical characteristics of the Niger Delta’s rivers are therefore crucial for sustainable management, conservation of biodiversity, and safeguarding public health. This study focuses on the physico-chemical analysis of the Sombrero and Orashi Rivers to evaluate their water quality and identify potential environmental risks.