Effects of land use/cover change on the water quality of Lake Bosomtwe

Lake Bosomtwe, a crater lake in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, has experienced significant land use and land cover changes over the years, however their effects on water quality remain understudied. This study investigated the impact of land-use changes in the Lake Bosomtwe catchment on the water quality. Using QGIS, change detection analysis was conducted to detect land use/land cover changes in 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. The results indicated a 26.0% decrease in closed forest cover from 2000 to 2015, whereas low vegetation and open forest areas increased by 2.3% and 22.8%, respectively. Water samples were collected from 12 sampling points and analyzed for quality parameters: pH, total coliform, Nitrates and BOD. The average values of the parameters were 9.55, 5.53 colonies/100 ml, 4.15 mg/l, and 1.35 mg/l, respectively. Water quality analyses revealed rising concentrations of nitrates, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and total coliform, which were attributed to increased anthropogenic activities in the catchment. Given the potential for further environmental degradation, immediate attention is necessary to develop sustainable strategies and policies to protect this unique water resource.