Assessment of the Physico-Chemical Parameters of Gubi Dam, Bauchi State, Nigeria

The assessment of seasonal variation of the physico-chemical quality of Gubi dam, Bauchi State Northeastern Nigeria was investigated. The water samples were collected bi-monthly from July, 2022 to June, 2023 for the physico-chemical parameters. The water temperature, pH, conductivity, depth and total dissolved solids, carbon dioxide, biological oxygen demand, alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, transparency were measured in-situ with the use of Mercury in glass thermometer, water testing kits, wagtech photometer model 7100 and turbid meter HACH 2100P respectively. The dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand were measured ex-situ in the laboratory using Winkler’s method. The results showed variation in the water parameters within the months. The mean water temperature ranged from 22.33±0.5ºC to 29.33±0.29ºC, while the mean pH varied from 6.54±0.03 in May and June to 8.88±0.11 in August. Mean dissolved oxygen ranged from 6.12±0.09mg/l in April to 8.59±0.58mg/l in July while the mean Carbon-dioxide varied from 0.06±0.05 mg/l in June to 1.73±0.29mg/l in August. The mean turbidity varied from 64.33±1.53NTU in November to 115.83±5.107NTU in July while the mean alkalinity ranged from 66.667±8.33mg/l in July to 87.333±3.79mg/l in December. The mean nitrate varied from 0.01±0.005mg/l in May to 8.28±0.06mg/l in August while the mean phosphate ranged from 0.21±0.04 mg/l in April to 5.13±0.076 mg/l in August. The mean Total dissolved solids ranged from 74.07±4.67mg/l in February to 98.60±1.04mg/l in June while the mean Biological oxygen demand ranged from 0.015±0.002 mg/l in May and June to 0.07±0.01 mg/l in August. The lowest mean Electrical conductivity 145.23±10.65 μS/cm was recorded in September and the highest 518.10±16.89 μS/cm in July while the mean depth varied from 4.03±0.06m in March, April and May to 8.83±0.29m in August. The Physico-chemical parameters recorded in the rainy season differed significantly (p < 0.05) with the parameters recorded in dry season. Correlation coefficient (r) showed positive correlation between temperature and dissolved oxygen with all the physico-chemical parameters. pH had a negative correlation with alkalinity, conductivity, transparency and Total dissolved solids. The results of all the physicochemical parameters measured in Gubi dam are within the permissible limits of national and international standards, the Dam can be regarded as stable and healthy environment for aquatic livings.