Determination of Organic Pollutants and Some Physicochemical Parameter

ABSTRACT Water samples along Jakara River and its tributaries (River Getsi, River Jakara, River Gwagwarwa and River Rafin Malam) in Kano state were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and some organic pollutants. The physicochemical parameters were determined using the standard methods of America Public Health Agency (APHA) while the organic pollutants were extracted and analyzed using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer(GC-MS).The result are as follows; pH (7.8 - 8.4); temperature (31 - 31.1) 0C; conductivity (2759-4862) µs/cm; turbidity (21 - 190) mg/l; TSS (0 - 73.5) mg/l; TDS (1379 - 2431) mg/l; TOC (53.6 - 326.7) mg/l; DOC (32 - 57.3) mg/l; BOD (6.3 - 10.6 ) mg/l; sulphate (44.3 - 83.3) mg/l and nitrate (24.5 - 50.6) mg/l. Except temperature, pH and SO4,2- the values of other parameters determined are above the permissible limit of WHO and NESREA standards. Thirteen different organic compounds were detected at different percentage values at the four sampling stations. The organic compounds detected in the samples and their percentage value ranges are; dodecanoic acid (1.76 - 2.31%); tetradecanoic acid (2.06 - 2.33%); palmitic acid (7.36 - 10.21%); methyl octadecanoat.