TITLE:
Monitoring the Physico-Chemical Quality of the Davo River (South-West of Côte d’Ivoire)
AUTHORS:
Natchia Aka, Yao Dakro Albert Gboko, Kéiba Noël Keumean, Oi Adjiri Adjiri, Nagnin Soro
KEYWORDS:
Davo River, Turbidity, Suspended Solids, Major Elements, Trace Metallic Element
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.12 No.8,
August
25,
2022
ABSTRACT: The Davo
River, an affluent of the Sassandra River, like other rivers in Côte d’Ivoire,
is subject to anthropogenic activities likely to deteriorate its quality which
could affect its use as drinking water and also the health of aquatic
organisms. This study aims at monitoring the temporal evolution of the
physico-chemical quality of the waters of the Davo River at the Dakpadou
hydrometric station. Twelve monthly field missions were carried out to sample
water, measure temperature, pH, Electrical Conductivity and analyse turbidity,
Suspended solids, major elements (Cl-, NO3-,HCO3-, SO42-, Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+,
and K+) and Trace Metallic Elements (Hg, Fe, Cu, Cr, and Pb).
Results show that the waters of the Davo river are poorly mineralized. They are
also acidic during periods of low water and slightly basic during flooding
periods. The average turbidity value of 10.18 NTU places these waters in the
slightly turbid class. The waters have calcic bicarbonate facies during low
water periods and sodium bicarbonate facies with low concentrations of major
elements during flood months. The average TME concentrations of the Davo river
indicate that the waters are not harmful for the health of the population and
the aquatic environment.