Determination of Physicochemical Parameters and Riparian Land Effect on Kwadon Stream

Abstract

Water quality is defined in terms of its physical, chemical and biological contents. Human activities around the riparian landscape of streams have resulted in
environmental changes, causing irregularities in the zone and affect the stream physicochemical parameters. This study aimed at examining the physicochemical characteristics of Kwadon stream, Gombe state, Nigeria and possible effect of riparian land use on these parameters. Three sites of the stream (site A, B and C) were selected for the analysis for a period of six months and ten (10) physicochemical parameters were analyzed. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using SAS, Pearson correlation and SPSS (ANOVA) to determine the level of significance of the parameter. Interestingly, almost all the physicochemical parameters values studied are within the safety limit which make the stream a conducive environment for growth of aquatics. Also, the obtained data indicated that activities such as fishing, irrigation and domestic acts has less effect on the physicochemical parameters of the stream.