Relationships between the Physico-chemical Water Parameters and Zooplankton Fauna of Tiga Lake, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between zooplankton fauna and physico-chemical water parameters of Tiga Lake, Kano, Nigeria from March 2009 to March 2011. Water transparency, pH, Cl^-, SO₄^2- and dissolved oxygen (DO) showed significant positive correlations (p<0.05) with species occurrence, while total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, NO₃^- and PO₄^3- showed significant negative correlations (p<0.05) with species occurrence. There were significant positive correlations (p<0.05) between zooplankton abundance and conductivity, total alkalinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺. The general chemical characteristics (pH, total alkalinity, conductivity and TDS) and major ions (Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) were all within the permissible limits for aquatic life, and they showed direct relationships with the zooplankton fauna of the lake. Physical parameters (water transparency, turbidity, TS and TSS) and nutrient content (NO₃^- and PO₄^3-) were considered to be limiting on the occurrence and distribution of zooplankton in Tiga Lake. The ecological relationship between zooplankton and physico-chemical parameters of the lake is an indication of its suitability for aquatic life.

Keywords: Tiga Lake; relationship; water parameters; zooplankton fauna