Spectrophotometric Determination of Phenol in Natural Waters by Trichloromethane Extraction Method after Steam Distillation

The concentrations of phenol in natural waters were determined so as to ascertain water quality as water intended for human consumption. Total phenols were determined by molecular spectrophotometry, after steam distillation, complexation with 4-aminoantipyrene and extraction into trichloromethane. The dynamic range was 0 - 300 mg/L. Experiments were carried out in the Central Science Laboratory Complex, Taraba State University-Jalingo Nigeria. The research work was completed in 4 months. The experimental method was applied in the analysis of environmental samples (river water and groundwater) collected within Jalingo metropolis of Taraba State, North Eastern Nigeria. Significant amount of phenols were found in the in the natural water samples with a range of 0.2891 - 0.3952 mg/L. The results indicated high pollution of phenol as the values exceeded the tolerance level of 0.0005 mg/L and maximum contaminant level of 0.005 mg/L for phenol allowed by European Communities and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare respectively for water intended for human consumption. The qualities of natural waters were impaired in terms of phenol and therefore the need for post treatment to make them safe for water intended for human consumption. The water bodies should also be monitored from time to time to ascertain the level of phenol.