Exploring the Physicochemical Characteristics and Microbial Dynamics of Water Systems Surrounding Lemna Dumpsite in Calabar Municipality, Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics and microbial dynamics of water systems surrounding the Lemna dumpsite in Calabar Municipality, Nigeria, to determine contamination levels and associated public health risks. A descriptive and analytical design was adopted. Primary data were obtained through field sampling of surface and groundwater, laboratory analyses, structured questionnaires, and interviews, while secondary data were sourced from literature and environmental reports. Water samples from Obot Obu, Effanga Bassey, Dan Achibong, Borrow Pit Beach, and Sandmining Beach were analyzed using standard methods. Data were treated with descriptive statistics, comparison with WHO and NESREA standards, thematic analysis, and multiple regression. Results indicated marked deterioration in water quality. pH ranged from 5.9 to 6.8, dissolved oxygen from 3.7 to 5.0 milligrams per litre, total dissolved solids from 580 to 710 milligrams per litre, electrical conductivity from 1230 to 1520 microsiemens per centimetre, and turbidity from 7.2 to 11.0 NTU. Heavy metals, including lead (0.03 to 0.07 milligrams per litre), and nitrate levels (58 to 78 milligrams per litre) exceeded permissible limits. Microbial counts were also elevated: total coliforms (29 to 55 CFU per 100 millilitres), E. coli (16 to 25), Salmonella spp. (5 to 10), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8 to 15), and Giardia lamblia (2 to 5). Regression analysis showed a strong relationship between contamination and health risks (R = 0.739; R² = 0.546; F = 210.387, p < 0.001), indicating that over 54% of health variations were explained by pollution. The study concludes that water sources are unsafe and recommends improved waste management, routine monitoring, provision of safe water, and public education.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in the Journal of Occupational Health, Risk Management and Safety (JOHRMS) are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
This means:
- Authors retain full copyright ownership.
- Anyone may share, adapt, and use the published material for any lawful purpose, including commercial use, provided that proper credit is given to the authors and the journal.
- Changes must be indicated, and links to the license must be included.
License link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
By submitting a manuscript to JOHRMS, authors agree to this licensing policy.
How to Cite
References
Adestina, O. B., Paul, E. D., Nuhu, A. A., Onoyima, C. C., & Okibe, F. G. (2024). Dynamics of Physicochemical Parameters as Indicator of Water Quality: A Study of Ogun River, Nigeria. Indonesian Journal of Chemical Analysis (IJCA), 7(2), 109-122.
Agboola, O. E. (2024). Assessment of Physicochemical Properties and Heavy Metals Concentration of Abbatoir Effluent on Oko Oba River in Agege, Lagos Nigeria (Master's thesis, Kwara State University (Nigeria)).
Chukwura-Osoagba, U. O., Igwilo, P. C., Opara, C. C., & Akam, A. D. (2025). Investigation of hydrochemical characteristic of groundwater quality of Bogoberi in Calabar Municipality in Cross River State, Southeastern Nigeria. Discover Environment, 3(1), 48.
Dai, H., Zhang, Y., Fang, W., Liu, J., Hong, J., Zou, C., & Zhang, J. (2023). Microbial community structural response to variations in physicochemical features of different aquifers. Frontiers in microbiology, 14, 1025964.
Debassi, B., Allaoua, N., Ghanem, N., Hafid, H., Benacherine, M., & Chenchouni, H. (2025). Assessment of water quality of groundwater, surface water, and wastewater using physicochemical parameters and microbiological indicators. Science Progress, 108(2), 00368504251348544.
Ekanem, J. O., Itah, A. Y., Ndubuisi-Nnaji, U., Gabriel, P. U. A., Raphael, M. I., & Godswill, M. U. (2023). Physicochemical and microbiological assessment of Utaewa Estuary Water. Journal of Advances in Microbiology, 23(10), 1-10.
Ekeng, E. E. (2024). Analyzing the Effect of Physicochemical Processes of Calabar River on Coastal Hydraulic Structures: A Case Study of Calabar River. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 9(8), 519-531.
Hasan, M. M., & Tarannum, M. N. (2025). Retracted: Adverse impacts of microplastics on soil physicochemical properties and crop health in agricultural systems.
Inyang-Etoh, A. P., Agi-Odey, E. K., Emeka, V. I., Odum, C. J., & Tsegba, W. M. (2025). Comparative Study Of Physico-Chemical Parameters On Natural And Artificial Fish Habitats In Calabar South, Cross River State, Nigeria. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 31(1), 1-12.
Kitalika, A. J. (2025). Variations in physicochemical properties, microbiological profiles, and nutrient dynamics in the Temi River, Arusha, Tanzania: Sources and implications. Tanzania Journal of Science, 51(4), 17.
Loucif, K., & Chenchouni, H. (2024). Water physicochemical quality as driver of spatial and temporal patterns of microbial community composition in lake ecosystems. Applied Water Science, 14(6), 115.
Loucif, K., & Chenchouni, H. (2024). Water physicochemical quality as driver of spatial and temporal patterns of microbial community composition in lake ecosystems. Applied Water Science, 14(6), 115.
Okabekwa, V. C., Arinze, R. U., Tabugbo, B. I., & Okafor, V. N. (2024). Assessment of physicochemical properties of water from Eleme River, South-South Nigeria. Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria, 49(1).
Olalemi, A. O., & Okunade, A. S. (2024). Effect of some physicochemical parameters on the decay rate of enteric bacteria isolated from River Owena, Nigeria. Environmental Sciences Europe, 36(1), 23.
Oparaji, E. H. (2022). Microbial Quality and Assessment of Dynamism of Physiologic Factors on Selected Physicochemical Properties of Waste Water. European Journal of Applied Sciences–Vol, 10(2).
Oparaji, E. H. (2022). Microbial Quality and Assessment of Dynamism of Physiologic Factors on Selected Physicochemical Properties of Waste Water. European Journal of Applied Sciences–Vol, 10(2).
Osborne, E., Haddix, M., & Garner, E. (2022). Impact of hydraulic and physicochemical factors on spatiotemporal variations of particle-associated bacteria in a drinking water distribution system. Frontiers in Water, 4, 959618.
Ukwe, I. O., & Fibika, S. C. (2024). Limnological and Bacteriological Properties of Agba-Ndele Segment of Sombriero River, Rivers State, Nigeria. Bima Journal of Science and Technology Gombe, 8(3A), 227-240.
Unimke, A., Okezie, O., Agbo, B. E., Ugwu, J. C., Ukeye, A. A., Ibiene, A. A., & Okerentugba, P. O. (2025). Microbial–physicochemical interplay in Iko River estuary, unraveling the hidden mystery in bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Water Practice & Technology, 20(1), 204-220.
Zhao, Z., Sun, W., Ke, Y., Zhang, Y., & Wang, X. (2025). Microbial dynamics at different stages of drinking water treatment systems. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 11(6), 1401-1427.
Zlatković, S., Medić, O., Predojević, D., Nikolić, I., Subakov-Simić, G., Onjia, A., ... & Stanković, S. (2022). Spatio-temporal dynamics in physico-chemical properties, phytoplankton and bacterial diversity as an indication of the Bovan reservoir water quality. Water, 14(3), 391.