Abstract
The physico-chemical water quality of Lake Tiga was monitored over a two-year period (March 2009- March 2011) in order to bridge the information gap on its limnology and assess its physico-chemical condition. Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) saturation and organic matter were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the rainy season than in the dry season, while pH and Biological Oxygen Demand were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the dry season than in the rainy season. Apparent colour, Total Solids (TS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), K + , Cl - , total acidity, total hardness, NO3 - and PO4 3- decreased (p<0.05) from the riverine section towards the dam site, while water transparency, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), SO4 2- and Mg 2+ showed an increase (p<0.05) from the riverine section towards the dam site. Apparent colour, TS, TSS, total acidity, total hardness, Ca 2+ , NO3 - and PO4 3- increased (p<0.05) from the surface down to the bottom, while pH, Mg 2+ and DO decreased (p<0.05) from the surface down to the bottom at the lacustrine section of the lake. Cluster analysis of the parameters showed major clusters between the major ions (Ca 2+ , Na + , K + , Cl - , HCO3 - ) and the general chemical characteristics (TDS, alkalinity, conductivity, acidity and hardness) and also between the nutrient compounds (Organic matter, NO3 - and PO4 3- ) and the hydro- physical parameters (TS, TSS, apparent colour, true colour and turbidity). The water quality indices and sodium absorption ratio values in the sampled stations indicated that the water is most suitable for probable applications at the lacustrine section, towards the dam site.
Highlights
Dams, built to change natural flow regimes, are one of the most significant human interventions in the hydrological cycle (McCartney et al, 2001) and they can result in post-impoundment phenomena that are specific to reservoirs and not natural lakes (Dinar et al, 1995)
Most of the investigated parameters were higher in the dry season than in the rainy season, viz; water temperature, Secchi disc transparency, pH, conductivity, total alkalinity, total acidity, BOD5, total hardness, Ca2+, Na+, K+, NO3, Fe and Cu
A different seasonal trend was observed for apparent colour, turbidity, Total Solids (TS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Mg2+, organic matter, PO43, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Zn which were all higher in the rainy season than in the dry season
Summary
Built to change natural flow regimes, are one of the most significant human interventions in the hydrological cycle (McCartney et al, 2001) and they can result in post-impoundment phenomena that are specific to reservoirs and not natural lakes (Dinar et al, 1995). Eutrophication of reservoirs may occur as a consequence of large influxes of organic loading and/or nutrients (McCartney et al, 2001). This can result in water blooms of blue-green algae which can cause oxygen depletion and increased concentrations of iron and manganese in the bottom layer, as well as increased pH and oxygen in the upper layers of stratified reservoirs (Zakova et al, 1993). Lake Tiga is Nigeria’s second largest artificial lake (based on volume) and was constructed in 1974 by the Water Resources and Engineering Construction Agency (Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, 1989). Water from the lake drains into River Hadejia at a distance of about 40km downstream of the dam. In view of the significance of the lake to the nation, this research assessed the spatial and temporal variability of its physico-chemical condition as well as its suitability for intended purposes; namely irrigation, fisheries and aquatic life
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