The spatial variation and pollution status of selected water quality variables in Luubara Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria, were assessed between June and August 2024. Water samples were collected from four sampling stations, with Stations 1 and 2 representing areas of relatively low anthropogenic influence and Stations 3 and 4 representing areas with greater human activities. Physicochemical parameters and heavy metals were analyzed following the standard methods of the American Public Health Association (APHA), while statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.0. Pollution assessment was conducted using the Single Factor Index (SFI), Comprehensive Pollution Index (CPI), and Water Quality Index (WQI). Water temperature ranged from 27.50°C to 30.50°C, with the highest value recorded at Station 3 (29.833 ± 0.83°C) and the lowest at Station 1 (28.033 ± 0.84°C). Dissolved oxygen varied between 5.30 and 6.80 mg/L, biological oxygen demand between 1.50 and 2.50 mg/L, and pH from 4.5 to 6.8. The mean concentrations of heavy metals were 0.102 ± 0.05 mg/L for cadmium, 0.217 ± 0.08 mg/L for chromium, 0.318 ± 0.21 mg/L for lead, and 0.220 ± 0.10 mg/L for nickel. Most parameters, except pH and phosphate, exhibited their highest values at Station 3, reflecting greater anthropogenic influence. SFI results indicated no pollution for nitrates and heavy metals, slight pollution for temperature, BOD, pH, and phosphate, and medium pollution for dissolved oxygen. The overall CPI value of 0.439 classified the creek as sub-clean, while WQI values ranged from 33.90 to 60.10, placing Stations 1, 2, and 4 in Class A (excellent water quality) and Station 3 in Class B (good water quality). Overall, Luubara Creek is not seriously polluted and remains suitable for domestic use and the sustenance of aquatic life. However, effective regulation of anthropogenic activities is recommended to prevent further deterioration of water quality.

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1. Abowei JFN, Sikoki FD. The effects of pollution on the water quality of the Niger Delta. J Appl Sci. 2005;5(3):456-60.
2. Akkarabovina S, Raju K. Water quality assessment of the Krishna River, India. Environ Monit Assess. 2012;184(3):123-35.
3. Alobaidy AHM, Abid HS, Maulood BK. Application of water quality index for assessment of Dokan Lake ecosystem, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. J Water Resour Prot. 2010;2:792-8.
4. Al-Ridah M, Al-Mansoori A, Al-Hamadi A. Assessment of water quality in the Arabian Gulf: a case study of coastal areas. Mar Pollut Bull. 2020;150:110-20.
5. Ama AO, Eze VC. Index approach to water quality assessment of a South Nigerian River. Int J Fish Aquat Res. 2018;7(1):153-8.
6. American Public Health Association. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 22nd ed. Washington (DC): APHA; 2012.
7. Arkoç O. Application of water quality index with the aid of geographic information system in Eastern Thrace to assess groundwater quality. Jeol Muh Derg. 2016;40:189-208.
8. Asuquo JE, Etim EE. Physicochemical and bacteriological analysis of borehole water in selected areas in Uyo metropolis. Int J Mod Chem. 2012;2(1):7-14.
9. Britto FB, Vasco AN, Aguiar Netto ADO, Garcia CAB, Moraes GFO, Silva MGD. Surface water quality assessment of the main tributaries in the lower São Francisco River, Sergipe. RBRH. 2018;23:e6.
10. Chowdhury S, Hossain MS, Jafar M, Al-Attas O, Husain T. Heavy metals in drinking water: occurrences, implications, and future needs in developing countries. Sci Total Environ. 2016;569-570:476-88.
11. Cude CG. Oregon water quality index: a tool for evaluating water quality management effectiveness. J Am Water Resour Assoc. 2001;37(1):125-37.
12. Li Y, Migliaccio KW. Water quality concepts, sampling, and analyses. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2010.
13. Pesce SF, Wunderlin DA. Use of water quality indices to verify the impact of Cordoba City (Argentina) on Suquia River. Water Res. 2000;34:2915-26.
14. Tyagi S, Sharma B, Singh P, Dobhal R. Water quality assessment in terms of water quality index. Am J Water Resour. 2013;1:34-8.
15. Wetzel RG. Limnology: lake and river ecosystems. 3rd ed. New York: Academic Press; 2001.
16. World Health Organization. The World Health Report 2003: shaping the future. Geneva: WHO; 2003.
17. World Health Organization. Sustainable development and healthy environment. Geneva: WHO; 2018.
18. Guidance for assessing chemical contaminant data for use in fish advisories. Washington (DC): United States Environmental Protection Agency; 2004.

The spatial variation and pollution status of selected water quality variables in Luubara Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria, were assessed between June and August 2024. Water samples were collected from four sampling stations, with Stations 1 and 2 representing areas of relatively low anthropogenic influence and Stations 3 and 4 representing areas with greater human activities. Physicochemical parameters and heavy metals were analyzed following the standard methods of the American Public Health Association (APHA), while statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.0. Pollution assessment was conducted using the Single Factor Index (SFI), Comprehensive Pollution Index (CPI), and Water Quality Index (WQI). Water temperature ranged from 27.50°C to 30.50°C, with the highest value recorded at Station 3 (29.833 ± 0.83°C) and the lowest at Station 1 (28.033 ± 0.84°C). Dissolved oxygen varied between 5.30 and 6.80 mg/L, biological oxygen demand between 1.50 and 2.50 mg/L, and pH from 4.5 to 6.8. The mean concentrations of heavy metals were 0.102 ± 0.05 mg/L for cadmium, 0.217 ± 0.08 mg/L for chromium, 0.318 ± 0.21 mg/L for lead, and 0.220 ± 0.10 mg/L for nickel. Most parameters, except pH and phosphate, exhibited their highest values at Station 3, reflecting greater anthropogenic influence. SFI results indicated no pollution for nitrates and heavy metals, slight pollution for temperature, BOD, pH, and phosphate, and medium pollution for dissolved oxygen. The overall CPI value of 0.439 classified the creek as sub-clean, while WQI values ranged from 33.90 to 60.10, placing Stations 1, 2, and 4 in Class A (excellent water quality) and Station 3 in Class B (good water quality). Overall, Luubara Creek is not seriously polluted and remains suitable for domestic use and the sustenance of aquatic life. However, effective regulation of anthropogenic activities is recommended to prevent further deterioration of water quality.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Abowei JFN, Sikoki FD. The effects of pollution on the water quality of the Niger Delta. J Appl Sci. 2005;5(3):456-60.
2. Akkarabovina S, Raju K. Water quality assessment of the Krishna River, India. Environ Monit Assess. 2012;184(3):123-35.
3. Alobaidy AHM, Abid HS, Maulood BK. Application of water quality index for assessment of Dokan Lake ecosystem, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. J Water Resour Prot. 2010;2:792-8.
4. Al-Ridah M, Al-Mansoori A, Al-Hamadi A. Assessment of water quality in the Arabian Gulf: a case study of coastal areas. Mar Pollut Bull. 2020;150:110-20.
5. Ama AO, Eze VC. Index approach to water quality assessment of a South Nigerian River. Int J Fish Aquat Res. 2018;7(1):153-8.
6. American Public Health Association. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 22nd ed. Washington (DC): APHA; 2012.
7. Arkoç O. Application of water quality index with the aid of geographic information system in Eastern Thrace to assess groundwater quality. Jeol Muh Derg. 2016;40:189-208.
8. Asuquo JE, Etim EE. Physicochemical and bacteriological analysis of borehole water in selected areas in Uyo metropolis. Int J Mod Chem. 2012;2(1):7-14.
9. Britto FB, Vasco AN, Aguiar Netto ADO, Garcia CAB, Moraes GFO, Silva MGD. Surface water quality assessment of the main tributaries in the lower São Francisco River, Sergipe. RBRH. 2018;23:e6.
10. Chowdhury S, Hossain MS, Jafar M, Al-Attas O, Husain T. Heavy metals in drinking water: occurrences, implications, and future needs in developing countries. Sci Total Environ. 2016;569-570:476-88.
11. Cude CG. Oregon water quality index: a tool for evaluating water quality management effectiveness. J Am Water Resour Assoc. 2001;37(1):125-37.
12. Li Y, Migliaccio KW. Water quality concepts, sampling, and analyses. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2010.
13. Pesce SF, Wunderlin DA. Use of water quality indices to verify the impact of Cordoba City (Argentina) on Suquia River. Water Res. 2000;34:2915-26.
14. Tyagi S, Sharma B, Singh P, Dobhal R. Water quality assessment in terms of water quality index. Am J Water Resour. 2013;1:34-8.
15. Wetzel RG. Limnology: lake and river ecosystems. 3rd ed. New York: Academic Press; 2001.
16. World Health Organization. The World Health Report 2003: shaping the future. Geneva: WHO; 2003.
17. World Health Organization. Sustainable development and healthy environment. Geneva: WHO; 2018.
18. Guidance for assessing chemical contaminant data for use in fish advisories. Washington (DC): United States Environmental Protection Agency; 2004.