Assessment of physicochemical parameters of river Yobe, Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The present study assessed the influential physicochemical parameters of Yobe River (Gashua), Yobe state. Studies were conducted for a period of six months, from June to November, 2015 using standard water analysis methods, to evaluate the potential and productivity of the river to enhance fish production for rural dwellers. The monthly variation of physicochemical parameters [temperature, conductivity, transparency, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, ammonia, phosphorus (PO2), alkalinity, free carbon dioxide (CO2) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)] ranged from, 21-30 0C, 0.38-0.74µS, 0.30-0.97m, 5-6.32mg/L, 6.8-7.8, 0.435-1.343 mg/L, 0.0070-1.7500 mg/L, 200-480 mg/L, 0.00030-0.00181 mg/L and 1.40-2 mg/L respectively. Results showed significant (p0.05) across Site. The results revealed that Yobe River contains high level of alkalinity, and other parameters were within the recommended range for a drinking water or tolerable limits for fish production.