Effect of Rice Cultivation Activities on Inorganic Ions Content of Ini River in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

This research work assesses the effect of rice cultivation activities on the nutrient status of Ini River in Akwa Ibom State.  Surface water was collected from three stations in the river and its nutrient status was analyzed using spectrophotometric method. The nutrient component viz: Phosphate (P0₄), Nitrate (NO₃) and Sulphate (SO₄) varied significantly p<0.05 across the Stations.  Phosphate ranged from (0.96 mg/L – 1.89 mg/L), Nitrate (1.49 mg/L – 3.79 mg/L) and sulphate (2.10mg/L –5.90 mg/L).  The trend observed in nutrient variation in the river followed the order Station A > Station C >Station B.  The result obtained for nutrients are low and are within the WHO standard for clean water. However, the values obtained shows significant impact of rice cultivation activities on the nutrient status of the river. The result of this study shows that cultivation activities can contribute significantly to nutrient enrichment in water bodies. This can be of significance in management of water bodies around heavily cultivated areas.