Modelling Total Dissolved Solids Effects on Electrical Conductivity and Biochemical Oxygen Demand in River Benue, Makurdi

Abstract

Water is ubiquitous substance that must not be polluted as it contributes substantially to sustainable development and continuous existence of human being, aquatic life and environment. This research has attempted to model and establish, as well as confirm, the relationship that exists between the electrical conductivity/biochemical oxygen demand of surface water from the River Benue in Makurdi, and the total dissolved solids in the same water over a period of nine months, a system lacking such site-specific models. These water quality parameters were obtained from laboratory and field tests. The relationships were modelled using a regression modelling tool in Microsoft Excel. The results revealed a strong correlation between electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids in the surface water sample, with high R² values ranging from 0.7 to 0.9. On the other hand, the relationship between the biochemical oxygen demand and total dissolved solids exhibited a weak relationship, with low R² values ranging from 0.02 to 0.5. This has shown that the surface water contains some level of salinity and organic pollutants. It is recommended that treatment be implemented to reduce or eliminate these pollutants by identifying and controlling the sources of organic pollution, thereby safeguarding the river's ecological health.