1 University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Laboratory, P.O. Box 190 Kinshasa I, DR Congo.
2 National Pedagogical University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, Hydrobiology and Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Box 8815 Kinshasa I, DR Congo.
3 National Pedagogical University, Interdisciplinary Research Center of the National Pedagogical University (UPN), Environmental Research Unit, P.O. Box 8815 Kinshasa I, DR Congo.
4 Higher Pedagogical Institute of Milungu, Science and Technology Section, Department of Biology, Biology Laboratory, P.O. Box 130 Kwilu, DR Congo.
5 University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Science and Technology, Limnology, Hydrobiology and Aquaculture Laboratory, P.O. Box 190 Kinshasa XI, DR Congo.
6 University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Laboratory, P.O. Box 190 Kinshasa I, DR Congo.
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2026, 19(02), 298-307
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2026.19.2.0814
Received on 08 March 2026; revised on 18 April 2026; accepted on 20 April 2026
This study aimed to assess the water quality of the Bitshaku-Tshaku River, an urban watercourse located in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), through the analysis of physico-chemical parameters, trace metal elements, and the Organic Pollution Index (OPI). The results showed that water temperature ranges between 27.3 and 29.2 °C, while conductivity and turbidity indicated high mineralization and a significant load of suspended matter. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations (≈ 2.27 mg/L), combined with high values of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD₅ ≈ 42 mg/L) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD ≈ 59 mg/L), revealed substantial organic pollution. High nutrient concentrations (NO₃⁻ and PO₄³⁻) reflect excessive enrichment of the environment. Trace metal analysis highlighted notable contamination by lead, cadmium, nickel, and copper. The Organic Pollution Index (OPI ≈ 2.5) indicated overall poor water quality with strong organic pollution. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that parameter variability is dominated by a gradient of nutrient and mineral pollution of anthropogenic origin. These results demonstrate that the Bitshaku-Tshaku River is heavily impacted by human activities, requiring urgent management and restoration measures to preserve the quality of this water resource.
Water quality; Pysicocemical parameters, Heavy metals; Urban stream; Bitshaku-Tshaku river; Kinshasa
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MIKOMO KAMPWINI Deogratias, SISA MBUNGU Edouard, MUNGANGA GIKUG John, KIAMFU PWEMA Victor, KAMB TSHIJIK Jean-Claude and BIEY MAKALY Emmanuel. Physicochemical Characterization, Trace Metal Contamination, and Assessment of Organic Pollution in a Tropical Urban Stream: Case of the Bitshaku-Tshaku River (Kinshasa, DR Congo). International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2026, 19(02), 298-307. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2026.19.2.0814.
