Assessment Of The Contributions Of Hydrologic Cycle To The Water Quality Profile Of Otamiri River
The assessment of the hydrologic cycle’s contributions to river water quality profiles is integral to understanding and managing freshwater ecosystems sustainably. The hydrologic cycle, encompassing processes like precipitation, evaporation, surface runoff, and groundwater flow, exerts profound influences on riverine water quality dynamics. Precipitation inputs, carrying pollutants from various sources such as urban runoff, agricultural activities, and industrial discharges, significantly impact river water quality by introducing contaminants like sediment, nutrients, and pollutants. Conversely, evaporation and transpiration regulate water quantity and concentrate pollutants, affecting water quality parameters such as nutrient concentrations and salinity levels. Surface runoff, influenced by land use practices and hydrological modifications, transports pollutants into rivers, altering their water quality composition. Additionally, groundwater interactions play a crucial role by supplying base flow and influencing water temperature, nutrient levels, and dissolved oxygen concentrations, thereby shaping the overall water quality profile of rivers. Effective management strategies must integrate an understanding of the hydrologic cycle’s multifaceted impacts on water quality to mitigate pollution sources, preserve aquatic ecosystems, and ensure sustainable water resource management for future generations.
This Research or project is on the Assessment of the contributions of the hydrologic cycle to the water quality profile of Otamiri River. Since the quality of the River is polluted by the waste from different sources. This project or research which its objective is to find out exactly the contributions of the hydrologic cycle to the water quality of otamiri river and the health implications of these sorts department to the users of possible solutions to the problems observed in this cause of the study.
The assessment of the contribution of hydrologic cycle to the water quality of Otamiri, River was assessed physically, chemically, and biologically. The method of data collection was by primary data sources, while the results gotten from the test are the secondary sample.
Chapter three shows the sample collected from different materials of the River (sample A, sample B and sample C). sample were tested for physical biological & chemical parameters.
Chapter four shows the presentation of the Result gotten from the experiment while chapter five is the conclusion, summary and recommendations made.
Title page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Background of the study 4
1.3 Objective of the study 5
1.4 Scope of the study 5
1.5 Research hypothesis 6
1.6 Significance of the study 7
1.7 Limitation of the study 7
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Literature review 8
2.2 Hydrology 11
2.3 The hydrologic cycle 11
2.4 Human activities that effect water cycle 12
2.5 Effect on biochemical cycling 13
2.6 Water quality 13
2.7 Characteristics of water 16
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Sampling points and methods 24
3.1 Decision on quality parameters
for analysis 25
3.2 Methodology 25
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Results and data 79
4.1.1 Presentation of data and analysis 79
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary, conclusion and
Recommendation 84
5.1 Summary 84
5.2 Conclusion 85
5.3 Recommendation 86
References 8
INTRODUCTION
Since the beginning of concern over the possible consequences of global warming, it has been widely recognized that changes in the cycling of waters between land, sea and air could have very significant impacts across many sectors of the economy, society and the environment. The characteristics of many terrestrial ecosystems, for example are heavily influenced by water availability, in the case of aquatic ecosystems, the quantity and quality of water in rivers and aquifers is fundamental to human, aquatic life and many activities. Most obviously agriculture use, industry use, power generation, transportation and waste constraint on economic development. Consequently, there have been a great many studies into the potential effect of climatic change on hydrology (focusing of cycling of water and water quality aspects with its proper analysis and assessment).
The majority of these studies have concentrated on possible changes in the water balance for example, the quality of stream water, impacts of the changes in the gravity of water such as the reliability of a water sources (supply) or the risk of contaminated source. This study focuses on techniques adopted to determine the quality of water, by carrying out chemical text, biological text and physical text on Otammiri River to ascertain its quality and beneficial use of water.
Water And The Hydrologic Cycle
Water begins its never ceasing cycle as vapour in the atmosphere as well as the water in the lakes and oceans, provides protection against extremes of both heat and cold. Hydrologic cycle refers to the complete movement of water from the atmosphere and below the earth surface. It includes water precipitation as rain, snow, hail or dew, it journey over around and through obstacles above on and below the earths surface and its eventual evaporation and return to the atmosphere. It is the longest water purification system known to man.
Water
Water is essential for man’s existence, it is needed in large quantities and in all wholesomeness despite the requirements for potable supply, water is needed for power generation, irrigation, recreation, industrial production processes and in waste disposal. The importance of water made it possible for nature to distribute it all over the regions of the earth. The planet earth contains about 70% water in form of oceans, seas, rivers, lakes and ground water. Water provided for human consumption should receive minimum possible treatment, though the best supply is one which needs no treatment at all. Public health is vulnerable to the danger of incidence of diseases, mainly through water borne, water related and water washed diseases. These diseases include cholera, typhoid and para-typhoid fever, malaria, yellow fiver, schistosomosois and guinea worm. Consequent to the incidence of disease, water treatment processes become a preciosity that require careful while handling. For an acceptable quality of water supply the international standard for drinking water established by World Health Organization (2007) states that water intended to human consumption must be free from organisms and from concentration of chemical substances that may be hazardous to health. Supplies of drinking water should be pleasant to drinking as circumstance permit.
The quality of water must be wholesome and palatable. Wholesome water must be free from organisms, poisonous and excessive amount of mineral, turbidity taste, odour, and must be well aerated.
1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
This project laid more emphasis on the assessment of the contribution of hydrologic cycle to the water quality of Otammiri River. To understand how contamination of the River occurs, it is necessary to understand the contributions of the hydrologic cycle to the Rivers, the water quality along its profile from the confluence of Otammiri and Nworie River. Water bodies can be fully characterized by the three major components; hydrology, physic-chemistry and biology. Therefore this project describes a complete assessment of water quality based on appropriate monitoring of these components.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The aim of this project is to provide understanding of;
The assessment of the contributions of hydrologic cycle to Otammiri River from the broadest perspective.
Water quality potentials of Otammiri River
Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water
Water quality control and management.
Water quality in the environment, sources of contamination, effects of common impurities in water and self purification of water.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this project is the proper assessment of the contribution of hydrologic cycle to Otammiri River which include;
a. Assessment of existing surface water (Otammiri River during rainy season as a case study)
Effects of common impurities in water
Water quality and characteristics of water
Beneficial use of water
Study methodology, decision on quality parameters for analysis.
Data presentation, calculation and discussion.
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
While there is a considerable amount of water quality data collected for the experiment, the timing and frequency of samples does not provide a definite information on the degree which water quality is based. The following was needed to determine the water quality conditions.
Three different samples would be collected from difernt reaches of Otammiri River
The samples should be taken undisturbed and moved to the laboratory immediately for proper analysis.
The presence of the following should be determined; copper, zinc, magnesium, iron, sulphate, phosphate, nitrite, chloride and sulphite.
Also, the following should be determined; pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, alkalinity, total hardness, turbidity, total coliform, etc.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This project provides an account on how to make hydrologic cycle and water quality fit for human use.
The various treatment method of contaminated water
It provides information on how the River is being contaminated along the reaches of the river.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
In the course of carrying out this project, some difficulties were encountered which includes;
Unavailability of research material like test books
Unsteady power supply that delayed the laboratories experiment
Difficulties encountered when analyzing different water sample
Non availability of equipment needed for water quality analysis.
SHARE PROJECT MATERIALS ON:
Assessment Of The Contributions Of Hydrologic Cycle To The Water Quality Profile Of Otamiri River:
Assessing the contributions of the hydrologic cycle to the water quality profile of Otamiri River involves examining how various hydrological processes impact the river’s water quality. The hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle, includes processes such as precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, runoff, and groundwater flow. These processes can both positively and negatively affect water quality in the river. Here is an assessment of the contributions of the hydrologic cycle to Otamiri River’s water quality profile:
Precipitation: Precipitation is a crucial component of the hydrologic cycle. Rainfall can contribute to both positive and negative aspects of water quality. The impact depends on several factors, including the source of the precipitation (e.g., clean rainwater or polluted atmospheric deposition) and the intensity of rainfall.
Positive Contribution: Clean rainwater can help dilute pollutants in the river, improving water quality. It can also provide essential freshwater input to maintain the river’s flow during dry periods.
Negative Contribution: Heavy rainfall can lead to increased runoff, which can carry pollutants from urban areas, agricultural fields, and industrial sites into the river. This can result in the contamination of the river water.
Evaporation and Transpiration: These processes involve the loss of water from the river to the atmosphere through evaporation from the river’s surface and transpiration from vegetation along the riverbanks. They have a positive impact on water quality:
Positive Contribution: Evaporation and transpiration help concentrate dissolved salts and pollutants in the river water, reducing their concentrations and improving water quality.
Runoff: Runoff is the flow of water over the land surface into the river. It can be influenced by land use, topography, and soil types. Runoff has both positive and negative impacts on water quality:
Positive Contribution: If the runoff is from natural, undeveloped areas, it can be relatively clean and help maintain water quality. It can also recharge groundwater, which can influence water quality positively.
Negative Contribution: Runoff from urban areas, agricultural fields, and industrial sites can carry pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, pesticides, and chemicals into the river, degrading water quality.
Groundwater Flow: Groundwater contributes to the river’s base flow and can influence water quality:
Positive Contribution: Groundwater can be a source of cool, clean water that can help regulate the river’s temperature and dilute pollutants.
Negative Contribution: Contaminated groundwater can introduce pollutants into the river, affecting water quality negatively.
To assess the contributions of the hydrologic cycle to Otamiri River’s water quality profile, it is essential to consider local factors such as land use, weather patterns, and pollution sources. Monitoring and analysis of water samples, as well as modeling studies, can help quantify the specific contributions of each hydrological process and inform strategies for water quality management and protection. Additionally, implementing best management practices to reduce pollution sources and protect the river’s watershed is crucial for maintaining or improving water quality in Otamiri River.