CONCENTRATION LEVELS OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS, NITRATE AND NITRITE ANIONS OF FLOODWATERS FROM SELECTED AREAS IN PORT-HARCOURT METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Concentrations of physicochemical parameters and oxides of nitrogen were investigated in the floodwaters obtained in Port- Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. Nitrate and nitrite were determined using UV-Visible Spectrophotometric method. The physicochemical parameters of the floodwater samples were determined by standard procedures. The concentration of the parameters analyzed ranged from 5.95 ± 0.04 – 7.89 ± 0.50, pH; 430.00 ± 0.25 – 1096.20 ± 1.60 mg.L-1, total dissolved solids; 453.30 ± 0.70 – 2045.00 ± 2.40 mg.L-1, total suspended solids; 0.87 ± 0.02 - 1.88 ± 0.01 mg.L-1, chemical oxygen demand; 0.45 ± 0.01 - 1.97 ± 0.08 mg.L-1, biochemical oxygen demand; 0.60 ± 0.01 - 3.65 ± 0.04 mg.L-1, dissolved oxygen; 430.00 ± 0.20 to 1096.20 ± 0.30 mg.L-1, nitrate; 93.09 ± 0.02 to 456.00 ± 0.60, nitrite and 103.33 ± 0.50 to 298.70 ± 0.60 mg.L-1, sulphate. The results in general recorded higher levels of the anions in the late rainfall season than the early rainfall season, which are indications of possible pollution of the sample areas as a result of excessive usage of fertilizers, manures and disposal of wastewater on the land.