Spatio-temporal variation of the physico-chemical properties of rainwater in Benin City, Nigeria
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Date
2019
Authors
Atedhor, G.O.
Ayeni, A.O.
Aiyeki, J.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of BUA, Cameroon / AJOL
Abstract
Urbanized landscapes are known to have relatively high atmospheric pollutants due to high concentration of anthropogenic activities. This paper therefore examines the spatial and temporal variations of the physico-chemical properties of rainwater at the core, intermediate and urban fringe of Benin City. Rainwater samples were collected at 2 locations each at the core (Ring Road and Forestry), intermediate (Airport Road and Upper Mission) and urban fringe (Ikpoba Hill and Ogba) in the months of March and July, 2016. The physico-chemical properties of the rainwater differed significantly at the core, intermediate and urban fringe between the months of March and July with t-statistics of 3.029, 3.737 and 2.764 (p < 0.05) respectively. The difference in rainwater properties among the core, intermediate and urban fringe zones were insignificant in the months of March and July. With the exceptions of colour, turbidity, P and Fe in the month of March and P and Fe in the month of July, rainwater properties from the three locations, where WHO guidelines for drinking water is applicable, were within permissible limits. Water quality was excellent at the core, intermediate and urban in the month of July while it was excellent at the intermediate and urban fringe and good at the core in the month of March. Findings suggest that besides the role of rainfall amount in atmospheric cleansing, other factors such as wind profile and direction and atmospheric stagnation also play critical influence on rainwater quality.
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Rainwater , water quality index , physico-chemical properties , Benin City , Nigeria , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES
Citation
Atedhor, G. O., A. O. Ayeni and J. A. Aiyeki (2019). Spatio-temporal variation of the physico-chemical properties of rainwater in Benin City, Nigeria, Journal of The Cameroon Academy of Sciences 14 (3): 205 – 218