Water quality and some nutrient levels in Shiroro Lake, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Water physical and chemical properties and nutrient levels of the surface water of Shiroro Lake (Nigeria) were determined over a period of eighteen months from June 1999 to December 2000. Five sampling stations were located within the lake basin. The wet season mean values for water temperature, and turbidity, were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those for the dry season at all stations. However, for pH, and phosphate- phosphorus, the dry season mean values were higher than the wet season mean values. As in most other African inland water bodies, there was seasonality in the limnological variables. The hydrological regime of the lake, precipitation chemistry, bedrock chemistry and inputs resulting from hydro-electric power generation were observed to influenced and determined the quantity of dissolved organic carbon, nutrient levels and water quality of the lake. Nutrients added to the lake by the major tributary rivers and inundation of surrounding areas influenced water quality of the reservoir. From the nutrient levels, it could be concluded that Shiroro Lake is still an oligotrophic lake.


Key Words: Nutrient, water parameters, Shiroro Lake tributaries, Nigeria.


Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.19(2) 2004: 99-106