Assessment Of Nutrient Load In Unwana River Flow Course

Abstract

Three water samples were collected from different locations of Unwana River. The parameters analyzed were NH3-N, NO3
-, NO2- and PO4-3 and these were done using UV-spectrophotometric method. The results of the samples showed that Location A has NH3-N concentration of 1.63±0.17 mg/, B 0.95±0.73 mg/L, C 1.20±0.44 mg/L while NO3- in Location A was 0.73±0.39 mg/L, B was 0.73±0.19 mg/L, C 0.44±0.19 mg/L while NO2- concentration in Location A was 0.17±0.017 mg/L, B 0.17±0.017 mg/L, C 0.20±0.009 mg/L while PO3-3 concentration in Location A was 12.1±0.39 mg/L, B 11.15±0.72 mg/L, C 11.43±0.092 mg/L. The results were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standard. The results showed that NH3-N, NO3- and PO4-3 were below the WHO
drinking water standard and this did not pose any danger to the users. The results of the analysis indicated that the NO2- concentrations were above the WHO permissible limit of drinking water standard and this could pose threat to the persons using the water. High concentration of NO2- can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in children. Due to high concentrations of NO2 - the water should be treated before usage.