Untitled

Abstract

Discharges from natural and anthropogenic sources entering aquatic ecosystem may impair the physicochemical parameters as well as impact the distribution of resident aquatic biota. Seasonal variation in physicochemical characteristics of Agulu was investigated. The physicochemical properties of the lake determined according to the standard methods were temperature, conductivity, pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, sulphates, nitrate-nitrogen, carbon dioxide, turbidity, total dissolved solid, total suspended solid and total hardness. Results showed spatial, monthly and seasonal variations in the parameters analyzed. The mean values of the parameters were as follows: Temperature 291. 67 o C, pH 5.27 1.14, turbidity 24.15 1.76 NTU, conductivity 9.67 1.71 s/cm, alkalinity 51.47 5.02 mg/L, total dissolved solids 10.54 1.25 mg/L, total suspended solid 9.51 1.11 mg/L, sulphate 2.71 0.39 mg/L, phosphates 0.91 0.27 mg/L, nitrate-nitrogen 0.90 0.29 mg/L, dissolved oxygen 5.41 0.72 mg/L and carbon dioxide 3.98 0.87 mg/L. In general the physicochemical parameters measured did not vary among the stations but there were significant variations during the rainy and dry seasons (P<0.05). The physicochemical properties found at the sampling stations of the Lake were within the permissible limits recommended by World Health Organization and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for lentic ecosystem, indicating that the water from the lake may be suitable for domestic use and conducive for survival of aquatic life.