Physico-Chemical Parameters of Zobe Lake, Katsina State, Nigeria

Water quality parameters play a critical role in determining the health and resilience of aquatic ecosystems, influencing the distribution, behavior and survival of aquatic organisms. The Physico-chemical water quality parameters of Zobe Lake, Katsina State, Nigeria were studied from March 2024 to February, 2025. The study area was divided into four strata (Sites 1, 2, 3 and 4) along the lake for easy assessment. Purposive sampling was used to select one landing site from each stratum based on the level of fishing activities. Air and water temperature, transparency, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids were determined in-situ. pH, Dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, phosphate and nitrate were determined with standard analytical methods. The mean monthly values of physico-chemical parameters of Zobe Lake obtained are as follows: Dissolved oxygen, (7.59 ± 0.08 mg/l), air temperature; (36.62 ± 0.48˚C), water temperature (27.08 ± 0.24˚C), transparency (1.04 ± 0.03 m), nitrate (0.34 ± 0.03 mg/l), pH (7.36 ± 0.09), phosphate (2.18 ± 0.02mg/l), electrical conductivity (106.28 µS/m) and alkalinity (6.82 mg/l). There are significant differences (p < 0.05) in all the parameters tested across the month except alkalinity. The result of this study revealed relatively minimal differences among the four sampling sites, indicating that the lake is fairly homogeneous in water quality characteristics. However, continuous monitoring of nutrient parameters, particularly phosphate, is recommended to prevent future eutrophication and maintain the ecological health of the lake.