Spatio-Temporal Assessment and Water Quality Characteristics of Lake Tiga, Kano, Nigeria

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 PO43- decreased (p<0.05) from the riverine section towards the dam site, while water transparency, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), SO42 and Mg2+ showed an increase (p<0.05) from the riverine section towards the dam site. Apparent colour, TS, TSS, total acidity, total hardness, Ca2+ NO3- and PO43- increased (p<0.05) from the surface down to the bottom, while pH, Mg2+ 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 (Ca2+, 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 PO43-) 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.