Impact of Climate Change on the Influx of Hydrocarbon and Heavy Metals into a Fresh Water System

Meteorological events are posing serious environmental challenge especially in freshwater pollution control. Imo River serves as a source of water for domestic uses, agricultural irrigation, fishery and recreational activities and exposed to pollution. Surface water samples were collected in dry and rainy seasons for 2 years, with the aid of 1-liter water sampling cans, from seven major human impacted points. Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), oil and grease levels, all in mg/L, and pH were determined according to standard methods for the examination of water. There were significant variations in seasons (P=0.05) for oil and grease at all the locations; Ekenobizi (1.42±0.01-1.33±0.01), Udo (1.91±0.01-1.32±0.01), Owerrinta (3.74±0.57-2.36±0.01), Alulu (1.52±0.01-1.22±0.01), Owaza (6.73±1.00-4.22±0.01), Obigbo (4.55±0.01-3.13±0.01), and Akwette (13.75±0.0112.42±0.01). There were significant variations in seasons for copper (mg/L) (P=0.05) at Udo (0.09±0.01-0.06±0.01), Obigbo (0.14±0.01-0.11±0.01), and Akwette (0.19±0.010.15±0.01), while there were none (P=0.05) at Ekenobizi (0.13±1.060.06±0.01), Owerrinta (0.04±0.01-0.02±0.01), Alulu (0.01±0.01-0.01±0.01), and Owaza (0.30±0.10-0.24±0.01). There were no significant variations in seasons (P=0.05) for zinc at; Ekenobizi (0.03±0.01-0.02±0.01), Udo (0.04±0.01-0.03±0.01), Owerrinta (0.04±0.01-0.03±0.01), Alulu (0.04±0.04-0.01±0.01), Owaza (0.20±0.10-0.13±0.06) and Akwette (0.08±0.01-0.07±0.01) while there were significant variations in seasons (P=0.05) at Obigbo (0.14±0.01-0.12±0.01). There were significant variations in seasons (P=0.05) for pH at Ekenobizi, Udo, Owerrinta, Alulu, Owaza and Akwette, while, there were no significant variations in seasons (P=0.05) at Obigbo. Rainfall event contributed to the diffusion of pollutants into Imo River. Environmentally sustainable waste management programs and policies will prevent and protect it from subsequent destruction of the quality.