Journal of Applied Physical Science International

Surface water quality in the Woji River, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, was assessed using selected physicochemical parameters and trace metals. Six surface water samples were collected from different points along the river and analysed using standard laboratory procedures. The measured physicochemical parameters showed spatial variation across the sampling points. The pH ranged from 4.0 to 4.8, indicating acidic conditions. Electrical conductivity ranged from 210.1 to 2817 µS/cm, while salinity varied from 3.5 to 5.1%. Alkalinity ranged from 350 to 403 mg/L, chloride from 385.8 to 458 mg/L, nitrate from 2.5 to 3.5 mg/L, phosphate from 0.7 to 1.5 mg/L, and hardness from 208.6 to 320.3 mg/L. Total organic matter ranged from 18.5 to 26.0%, total organic carbon from 10.7 to 15.0%, nitrogen from 2.1 to 3.2%, and oil and grease from 7.671 to 20.43 mg/L. Trace metal concentrations varied among sampling points, with copper ranging from 0.005 to 0.012 ppm, cadmium from 0.035 to 0.057 ppm, iron from 0.088 to 0.120 ppm, lead from 0.065 to 0.080 ppm, chromium from 0.015 to 0.031 ppm, cobalt from 0.175 to 0.219 ppm, vanadium from 0.081 to 0.112 ppm, potassium from 35.561 to 56.988 ppm, and nickel from 0.010 to 0.100 ppm. The pH, electrical conductivity, chloride, oil and grease, cadmium, lead, cobalt, vanadium, and nickel values were above the WHO regulatory limits in some of the analysed water samples. The findings indicate that Woji River is affected by anthropogenic inputs and requires regular monitoring to support environmental management.