*2.7.1 Physicochemical parameters*

**pH:** Water pH was analyzed using Wagtech WE30200 pH meter. The acceptable pH for drinking Water ranges from 6.5–8.5.

**Turbidity:** Turbidity was measured using Wagtech WE30140 Potalab Turbidimeter. The turbidity measurement was conducted by placing the meter on a flat surface, filling a clean sample vial to mark, placing in a sample well and covering the vial with light shield cap. The display reading was recorded as sample turbidity. The maximum acceptable value for turbidity of drinking water is 5NTU.

**Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity:** were determined using Wagtech WE30120 conductivity/TDS meter.

**Chloride:** was measured by complexometric titration of 100 ml sample using 0.141moldm<sup>3</sup> silver nitrate (AgNO3) in the presence of 1 ml potassium chromate indicator (K2CrO4) at pH of 7–8. At the endpoint titration color changes from yellow to pinkish-yellow and the chloride concentration was computed by calculation as follows:

Mg/l Chloride = (A-B) x N x35,450/ vol.of sample.

Where A = Sample titer value, B = Blank titer value and N = 0.0141.

**Nitrate/Nitrite:** was determined via reduction method and the resulting, nitrite determined by reaction with sulphanilic acid in the presence of N – (1-naphathyl) ethylene diamine to form reddish dye. The intensity of color produced is directly proportional to the nitrate transmittance obtained was converted to concentration with aid of nitratest calibration chart and mg/l NO3 obtained by multiplying the result by a factor of 4.4. The Photometer was calibrated with the water sample to be tested.

**Fluoride:** was analyzed by adding Zirconyl chloride and Eriochrome Cyanine reagents tablets to a 10 ml sample of water in acid solution to form a red colored complex. This is destroyed by fluoride ion to give a pale yellow. The color produced was directly proportional to the fluoride concentration and was measured using Wagtech WE10441 Potalab Photometer 7100 at 570 nm wavelength. Percent transmittance obtained was converted to mg/l F with the aid of fluoride calibration chart. The Photometer was calibrated with the water sample to be tested.

**Iron (Fe):** was measured by using Wagtech spectrophotometer. The photometer was calibrated with the water sample to be tested. The color produced was directly proportional to the iron concentration and was measured using the Wagtech photometer at wavelength 570 nm. Percent transmittance obtained was converted to mg/l Fe with aid of iron calibration chart.

**Sulphate:** was determined by modified turbidimetric method with barium in sulpha Ver 4 sulphate reagent. The color produced was directly proportional to the sulphate concentration and was measured using DR/2010 Hach Spectrophotometer at 450 nm wavelength. The spectrophotometer was calibrated with the water sample to be tested.

**Manganese:** was determined by direct aspiration into an Air- Acetylene Flame using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer.

**Total Alkalinity:** was measured by titrating 100 ml sample using 0.01moldm<sup>3</sup> of H2SO4, phenolphthalein indicator, methyl orange indicator and pH meter at

*Analysis of Ground Water from Selected Sources in Jalingo Metropolis, Nigeria DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99082*

endpoint p H OF 4.5 and the Total Alkalinity as mg/l CaCO3 = Titer value/vol. of sample x 1000.

**Total Hardness:** was measured by complexometric titration of 100 ml sample using 0.01moldm<sup>3</sup> disodium slat of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) in the presence of Eriochrome Black T. at the titration endpoint color changes from wine red to bluish-green and the total hardness content was computed by calculation as follws:

Total Hardness as mg/l CaCO3 = Titer value/vol. of sample x 1000.

**Dissolved Oxygen(DO):** Was determined using Wagtech potalab spectrophotometer water analysis kit.

**Total coliforms:** Was determined using the membrane filtration technique using Wagtech field kits.

**Temperature:** The temperature was determined using the Wagtech field water meter.

**Water Taste and Odor:** were determined in field by drinking and perceiving the smell and taste of the water at sites.

## **2.8 Statistical analysis**

ANOVA analysis was carried out using statistical software (SPSS version 23.0) to compare the relationship between water sources and the physicochemical characteristics of water in Jaingo Metropolis.
