Abstract
The physico-chemical characteristics of ten permanently flowing rivers from Kahuzi Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo) were examined in July 2007. Water samples were collected from ten sites between 1800 and 3200 m asl and analyzed for the following chemical parameters: biological oxygen demand, total and carbonate hardness, alkalinity, total phosphorus, nitrogen, nitrate, and ammonia. Discharge, current velocity, temperature, and oxygen saturation were analyzed on site. In general, the chemical parameters revealed relatively low concentrations compared to others rivers in the region. The rivers were cold (10℃ - 15℃), well oxygenated, had low conductivity (generally <100 μS/cm), and had pH values ranging between 5.5 and 7.6. Nitrogen and phosphorus were also low (0.086 - 0.25 μmol/L for phosphorus and 2.21 - 4.25 μmol/L for nitrogen) in all rivers. The main natural sources of nitrogen and other nutriaents are from rain and atmospheric deposition, organic matter decomposition, and fixation of molecular nitrogen from allochthonous inorganic material. In the forested rivers of Kahuzi-Biega National Park the terrestrial and riparian environments are the only sources of nitrogen and phosphorus to the river water.
Highlights
While colonial hydrobiological expeditions made important contributions to providing general synthesis of the tropical freshwater communities in the eastern DR Congo [1,2,3], no basic analyses of the running waters within Kahuzi-Biega National Park have been reported to date
The chemical parameters revealed relatively low concentrations compared to others rivers in the region
In the forested rivers of Kahuzi-Biega National Park the terrestrial and riparian environments are the only sources of nitrogen and phosphorus to the river water
Summary
While colonial hydrobiological expeditions made important contributions to providing general synthesis of the tropical freshwater communities in the eastern DR Congo [1,2,3], no basic analyses of the running waters within Kahuzi-Biega National Park have been reported to date. The most important anthropogenic factor influencing the aquatic ecosystems of the eastern DR Congo has been the change in land use [5,6,7], which has seen most unprotected lands converted from natural forest vegetation to intensively used systems either for resource exploitation, for agricultural use, or living space [5]. Many of the aquatic ecosystems of the Albertine Rift Valley have been found to be diverse. Biological and physico-chemical information on the Albertine Rift Valley Rivers remains scarce
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