DETERMINATION OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER IN MUBI SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ADAMAWA STATE
Abubakar Ahmed Hamidu and Abdulhamid Umar
Department of Chemistry
Adamawa State University, Mubi
E-mail: Abshat533@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The physiochemical properties of water from three different types of water sources were analysed. Water samples were collected from the three types of sources namely: dug wells, deep boreholes and running streams and analysed for conductivity, pH and temperature respectively in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State. In all the samples the pH was found to be neutral or slightly alkaline, that is between 7.0 – 7.9 depending on the source of water. The highest pH of 7.9 was obtained from Wuro Patugi and Kwaccham respectively. Conductivity measurements also revealed values of 10.2mmhs/cm at a dug well in Wuro Patugi, whereas a minimum of 4.0 mmhs/cm was obtained from a borehole at Ngavah all in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Further analyses were carried out in the nitrate content of water samples from the three sources of water available in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The result obtained also showed that the maximum nitrate content of 21.5mg/L was from a dug well in Kwaccham at a temperature of 21oC whereas a minimum of a negligible 1.10mg/L was observed in the case of a deep borehole located in Army Barracks at a temperature of 27.5oC. Also carried out was absorbance measurements of the samples obtained from the various sources.
Key wards: – Physiochemical properties, Nitrate, Drinking water, Mubi south.