EFFECTS OF DREDGING ON DOWNSTREAM WATER QUALITY: EKOLE CREEK, NIGERIA

Water is essential part of ecosystem, so its quality must be ascertained for use especially in Ekole creek Nigeria where dredging activities heavy, hence this study examined the effect on downstream water creek. samples were collected from four points which are; Upstream, Dredge I, II, and Downstream points. The parameters determined showed that Turbidity Total Suspended Solids (TSS) higher at point with values 31 NTU 1664 mg/l respectively; pH was also slightly acidic (6.61); but low Dissolve Solid (TDS), Electrical Conductivity, Nitrate (NO3) Dissolved Oxygen (DO), as compare to Upstream. heavy metals like Pb (3.845 mg/l), Cr (0.612 mg/l) Ni (0.104 Cu (0.128 point, above (3.0605 (0.0 (0.017 (0.102 Upstream point,before Dredging I have correlative matrix of(Pb>Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu>Ni>Cr) Pb>Fe>Cr>Mn>Zn>Cu>Ni point. Is discovered acidic, high TSS, TDS, EC, NO3 DO, against WHO drinking-water quality, due Creek. It inferred negative effects can hazardous health user, distort ecosystem; therefore commercial should checked