Assessment of heavy metal and physico-chemical pollution loadings of River Benue water at Makurdi using water quality index (WQI) and multivariate statistics

Abstract In this work, the quality of River Benue water at Makurdi was assessed for its heavy metal load alongside seven other physico-chemical parameters using index (WQI) and multivariate statistical tools. A total 45 samples from three (3) different points along course were collected five months (October 2018–May, 2019) spanning dry wet seasons. Samples analysed in accordance with standard methods. Most evaluated found to fall allowable limits World Health Organization (WHO) among others, except colour, turbidity, suspended solids, nickel, lead cadmium. WQI analysis BISWQI, OWQI CCMEWQI indicated that all indexing methods suitable estimating as they showed corresponded classification “poor water”. Heavy river ranged from13.40–6080.00 47.07–7240.00 seasons, respectively, majorly influenced by high cadmium pollution levels. Principal component (PCA) revealed rotated factor respective communality levels both Factor 1 positively loaded nine which accounted 32.3% variance during season, while it 10 season accounting 25.9% variance. Hierarchical cluster (HCA) zoned into four clusters each Sampling 2 3 most polluted sampling point be season. It concluded increasing diverse nature anthropogenic activities on responsible deteriorating water. The study recommended continuous monitoring local regulations reduce entrance diffuse source river.