Project Materials

ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HYDROLOGIC CYCLE TO THE WATER QUALITY PROFILE OF OTAMIRI RIVER

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Since the beginning of worry about the potential repercussions of global warming, it has been widely acknowledged that changes in the cycling of water between land, sea, and air might have far-reaching consequences for many sectors of the economy, society, and the environment.

The characteristics of many terrestrial ecosystems, for example, are highly influenced by water availability; in aquatic ecosystems, the quantity and quality of water in rivers and aquifers is critical to human, aquatic, and other activities. Most clearly, agriculture, manufacturing, power generation, transportation, and trash all have an impact on economic development.

As a result, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the potential impact of climate change on hydrology (with a focus on water cycling and quality elements, as well as accurate analysis and assessment).

The majority of these research have focused on potential changes in the water balance, such as stream water quality, the effects of changes in water gravity, the reliability of a water source (supply), or the risk of a contaminated source.

This study focusses on the methodologies used to identify the quality of water by conducting chemical, biological, and physical tests on the Otammiri River to determine its purity and beneficial usage of water.

Water And The Hydrologic Cycle Water begins its never-ending cycle as vapour in the atmosphere, while water in lakes and oceans protects against extremes of heat and cold. The hydrologic cycle is the full movement of water from above and below the earth’s surface.

Water precipitation as rain, snow, hail, or dew travels over, over, and through obstacles above, on, and below the earth’s surface before evaporating and returning to the atmosphere. It is the longest water purification system known to man.

Water Water is vital for human survival; it is required in vast quantities and in good health. In addition to potable water supply, water is required for power generation, irrigation, recreation, industrial production processes, and waste disposal. Water’s importance enabled nature to distribute it throughout the earth’s areas.

The earth contains around 70% water in the form of oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Water provided for human consumption should be treated as little as possible, with the ideal supply requiring no treatment at all.

Public health is at risk from disease outbreaks, which are mostly caused by waterborne, water-related, and water-washed diseases.

These diseases include cholera, typhoid and para-typhoid fever, malaria, yellow fever, schistosomiasis, and guinea worm. As disease rates rise, water purification techniques become more valuable and must be handled with caution.

For an appropriate quality of water supply, the World Health Organization’s (2007) international standard for drinking water specifies that water meant for human consumption must be free of organisms and chemical contaminants that could be harmful to health.

Drinking water supplies should be as pleasant to drink as circumstances allow. Water must be of good quality and taste. Wholesome water must be devoid of organisms, harmful minerals, turbidity, taste, and odour, and well aerated.

1.2 Background of the Study

This project placed a greater emphasis on evaluating the influence of the hydrologic cycle on the water quality of the Otammiri River. To understand how the river becomes contaminated, it is vital to understand the hydrologic cycle’s contributions to the river, as well as the water quality along its profile from the confluence of the Otammiri and Nworie rivers.

Water bodies can be completely described by three major components: hydrology, physic-chemistry, and life. This research thus presents a comprehensive assessment of water quality based on adequate monitoring of these components.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The goal of this initiative is to provide understanding about:

1. A comprehensive examination of the hydrologic cycle’s impact on the Otammiri River.

2. Otammiri River’s Water Quality Potentials

3. Physical, chemical, and biological properties of water

4. Improving water quality through management.

5. Understand environmental water quality, pollution sources, common contaminants, and self-purification methods.

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This project aims to assess the hydrologic cycle’s impact on the Otammiri River. The scope includes assessing existing surface water (using the Otammiri River during the rainy season as a case study), identifying common impurities, assessing water quality and characteristics, identifying beneficial uses for water, developing a study methodology, deciding on quality parameters for analysis, and presenting, calculating, and discussing data.

1.5 Research Hypothesis

While a large amount of water quality data was acquired for the experiment, the time and frequency of samples did not give conclusive information on the degree to which water quality is based.

The following were required to determine the water quality conditions.  Three samples will be taken from different reaches of the Otammiri river.  Samples should be collected undisturbed and quickly transported to the laboratory for analysis.

Determine the presence of copper, zinc, magnesium, iron, sulphate, phosphate, nitrite, chloride, and sulphite. In addition, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, alkalinity, total hardness, turbidity, total coliform, and other parameters should be measured.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study explains how to improve hydrology and water quality for human usage.  Treatment methods for contaminated water  Provides information about river contamination across its spans.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

Some obstacles were experienced when carrying out this project, including:

 Lack of research material, such as test books.

 The laboratory experiment was delayed due to an unstable power supply.

• Difficulties in analysing various water samples.

 Lack of necessary equipment for water quality analysis.