Forms of Environmental Degradation in Mamu River Basin of South Eastern Nigeria.

Abstract

Environmental degradation is a current challenge emanating from the man’s quest for survival. River environment are not spared from such unwholesome development. The varying forms of environmental degradation have been studied in 5 sub basins covering the entire drainage basin. In this study, physico-chemical –cum- biological analysis covering the selected 18 water quality parameters were analyzed in dry and rainy seasons to determine their levels of concentration in the laboratory. Soil samples were also collected from the sub basins to analyze the physica properties. The result of the analysis was subjected to statistical analysis. Principal Component Analysis explained 84% of the total variation in water quality and the parameters that loaded highly were mainly metals and heavy minerals. Paired sample T’ test indicated a significant
difference in turbidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, manganese and iron (p ≤ 0.05) while total suspended solids, iron, turbidity, sulphate, temperature, magnesium, calcium, and carbon showed a positive and strong correlations in the rainy and dry seasons. Thus, the tests showed that water quality parameters respond to seasons. The result of the physical properties of the soil revealed a degraded soil orchestrating from poor aggregate stability index of less than
28.77%. Solid waste disposal, excavation of land and other forms of man’s socio-economic activities have also exposed the basin more to degradation and hence posit the need for robust eco-friendly practices within the watershed.