An assessment of the physico-chemical parameters of Kontagora reservoir, Niger state, Nigeria

Abstract

The seasonal variations in the physicochemical parameters of water reservoir in Kontagora, Nigeria were studied from January to December, 2007. The physico-chemical parameters were determined bimonthly. They include: temperature (using mercury in glass thermometer), transparency (using Secchi-disc ), while Pye Unicam model 292 meter was used for pH and electrical conductivity determination . Dissolved oxygen by modified Winkler-azide method, water hardness by Lind method and Phosphate – phosphorus by Denges method, total alkalinity by titration method, total dissolved solid by O’wen method, while Nitrate-Nitrogen was determined using Phenoldisulphonic acid method. Water depth was determined using a calibrated measuring tape weighted at one end. The rainy season mean values for water temperature, depth, pH, Nitrate-Nitrogen, were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those for the dry season. However, for transparency, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, hardness, alkalinity, phosphate-phosphorus and total dissolved solid, the dry season mean value were significantly higher than the rainy season mean value. As in most other African inland water bodies, there was seasonal variation in the physicochemical parameters evaluated in this study. The torrential rains of the reservoir environment, the characteristic trade winds of the dry season, effect of deforestation, fertilizer application, herbicides, insecticide and other chemical factors might have contributed to the fluctuations of some of the physicochemical parameters determined in the reservoir.

Keywords: Kontagora reservoir, physicochemical parameters, Seasonal, Environment.