Chemical and biological characteristics of streams in the Owabi watershed

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Date
2010-02-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Abstract
In this investigation, concentrations of physico-chemical and bacteriological qualities of water samples from the major streams within the Owabi watershed in Kumasi, Ghana, were measured at five different locations. The streams were moderately soft and neutral, having a mean pH range of 7.08 ± 0.2 to 7.88 ± 0.6. Total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, grease and oil, alkalinity, and the major ion levels varied significantly at each sampling site. Nutrient levels were however low and did not show any clear variation at sample locations. The bacteriological quality of the water was poor, rendering it unsafe for domestic purposes without treatment. The poor bacteriological quality was due to direct contamination by animal and human wastes. The streams have an appreciable self-purification capacity which is stressed by persistent pollution overloads caused by expanding human activities within the
Description
An article published by Springer Netherlands and also available at DOI 10.1007/s10661-009-0757-4
Keywords
Bacteriological, Physico-chemical, Pollution, Self-purification, Surface water
Citation
Environ Monit Assess (2010) 161:413–422 DOI 10.1007/s10661-009-0757-4
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