Relationship Between Electrical Conductivity and Some Mineral Composition of Benin Rivers

Uwidia lta Erebho

doi:10.52763/PJSIR.PHYS.SCI.65.2.2022.104.111

Uwidia lta Erebho Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52763/PJSIR.PHYS.SCI.65.2.2022.104.111

Keywords: electrical conductivity, mineral composition, relationship, rivers.

Abstract

The relationship between conductivity and some mineral compositions: calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), iron (Fe2+), copper (Cu2+) and zinc (Zn2+) of two rivers (Ikpoba and Ogba rivers) in Benin city was investigated. Results revealed the values: electrical conductivity (8.0-20.0; 10.0-50.0) µS/cm, pH (5.2- 6.0; 4.2 - 6.3), turbidity (6.0 - 15.0; 12.0 - 23.0) NTU, temperature (28 - 30; 28 - 29) °C, TDS ( 5.3 - 12.0; 26.5 - 28.0) mg/L; calcium (1.10-1.90 ; 2.40 - 7.70) mg/L, magnesium (0.28 - 0.41; 0.35 - 0.80) mg/L, iron (0.00 - 0.20; 0.10 - 0.20) mg/L, copper (0.00 - 0.00) mg/L ; zinc (0.01 - 0.02; 0.02 - 0.04) mg/L respectively. There were significant relationships between electrical conductivity and Fe2+, Zn2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. Medium strength was obtained for EC /Ca2+, EC /Mg2+ (in river 1), weak relationship was obtained for EC/Zn2+ (in river 2), no significant relationship was obtained for EC/Fe2+ (in river 2) and copper was absent.