Research Article
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Spatial and Temporal Variations in Water Quality Along the Bua River, Malawi

Year 2022, Volume: 8 Issue: 3, 210 - 226, 30.12.2022

Yamikani Balaka Hermis Julio Chagoma

https://doi.org/10.17216/limnofish.1072208

Abstract

Water quality in freshwaters is declining worldwide due to increases in human populations, expansion of agricultural activities, and climate change. There are quite a number of regions of the world, Africa inclusive, that are understudied, and little to no baseline information exists related to water quality. This study was focused on the Bua River in Malawi, which supports sustenance fishing and basic needs for local communities. A portion of the river has elevated levels of protection because it is found within the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. The focus of this study was to understand the spatial-temporal variations of water quality at five sites in the Bua River from May 2018 to June 2020 capturing the three main seasons (warm wet, cool dry, and hot dry). Although other water quality parameters did not vary spatially. Spatially, the Bua River mouth registered the highest values of Soluble reactive phosphorus and the Bua River upstream had the lowest. However, there were greater temporal differences across seasons for water temperature, water pH, and chlorophyll a. For instance, chlorophyll-a was higher during the hot dry season (3.28 µgL-1) compared to the cool dry season (2.10 µgL-1) and warm wet season (1.91 µgL-1). Water transparency, as measured by secchi depth was lowest during the warm wet season, which coincides with higher concentrations in SRP. All measurements of salt content, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and salinity) were higher during the hot dry season and correlated negatively with SRP. Similarly, bicarbonate and alkalinity were also higher during the hot dry season. Principle Component Analysis indicated that the parameters responsible for variations of Bua River water quality are mainly related to soluble minerals, water temperature, and surface runoff associated with agricultural activities and domestic waste accounting for 78.49 % of the total variance in the data set.

Keywords

Water quality freshwater habitats principal-components analysis seasonality southern Africa

Supporting Institution

African Parks and USDA Forest Service , Senga Bay Fisheries Research Centre

Thanks

Thank you for considering our article and aiding in the dissemination of research results. We hope to submit more of our research work in the near future.

References

  • Addiscott TM, Brockie D, Catt JA, Christian DG, Harris GL, Howse KR, Mirza NA, Pepper TJ. 2000. Phosphate losses through field drains in a heavy cultivated soil. J Environ Qual. 29(2):522-532. doi: 10.2134/jeq2000.00472425002900020021x
  • Al-Badaii F, Shuhaimi-Othman M, Gasim MB. 2013. Water Quality Assessment of the Semenyih River, Selangor, Malaysia. J Chem. 2013:1-10. doi: 10.1155/2013/871056
  • Allan JD. 2004. Landscapes and Riverscapes: The Influence of Land Use on Stream Ecosystems. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst. 35(1):257-284. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.35.120202.110122
  • Amadi AN. 2010. Effects of Urbanization on Groundwater Quality: A Case Study of Port-Harcourt, Southern Nigeria. Nat Appl Sci. 11(2):143-152.
  • Araújo FG, de Azevedo MCC, Ferreira MNL. 2011. Seasonal changes and spatial variation in the water quality of a eutrophic tropical reservoir determined by the inflowing river. Lake Reserv Manag. 27(4):343-354. doi: 10.1080/07438141.2011.627753
  • Aure J, Stigebrandt A. 1990. Quantitative estimates of the eutrophication effects of fish farming on fjords. Aquaculture. 90(2):135-156. doi: 10.1016/0044-8486(90)90337-M
  • Berrill M, Taylor G, Savard H. 1991. Are chloride cells involved in low pH tolerance and sensitivity? The mayfly possibility. Can J Fish Aquat Sci. 48(7):1220-1225. doi: 10.1139/f91-147
  • Bone Q, Moore R. 2008. Biology of Fishes, 3rd Ed. London: Taylor & Francis 450 p.
  • Carpenter SR, Caraco NF, Correll DL, Howarth RW, Sharpley AN, Smith VH. 1998. Nonpoint pollution of surface waters with phosphorus and nitrogen. Ecol Appl. 8(3):559-568. doi:10.1890/1051-0761(1998)008[0559:NPOSWW]2.0.CO;2
  • Dallas HF, Day JA. 2004. The effect of water quality variables on aquatic ecosystems: a review. Pretoria, Republic of South Africa: Water Research Commission. Report No.: 224/04.
  • Dan-Hassan MA, Olasehinde PI, Amadi AN, Yisa J, Jacob JO. 2012. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Nitrate Pollution in Groundwater of Abuja, Nigeria. Int J Chem. 4(3):104-113. doi: 10.5539/ijc.v4n3p104
  • Dillion PJ, Rigler FH. 1974. The phosphorus chlorophyll relationship in lakes. Limnol Oceanogr. 19(5): 767–773.
  • Duffus JH. 1980. Environmental Toxicology. Edwards Arnold Publishers, London. 164pp.
  • DWAF. 1996. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. South African Water Quality Guidelines; Volume 7: Aquatic Ecosystems; [cited 2020 Dec 10]. Available from: https://www.dws.gov.za/iwqs/wq_guide/edited/Pol_saWQguideFRESH_vol7_Aquaticecosystems.pdf
  • Government of Malawi. 2011. Water Resources Investment Strategy, Component 1-Water Resources Assessmnt, Annex 1(ii) for WRAs 5-10. Lilongwe, Malawi: Government of Malawi; [cited 2020 Dec 15]. Available from: https://iwa-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Case-study_Malawi_final.pdf
  • Government of Malawi. 2017. National Water Resources Master Plan 2017. Main Report Existing situation. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi; [cited 2020 Dec 15]. Available from: https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12184537_07.pdf
  • Guildford SJ, Taylor WD, Boostma HA, Hendzel LL, Hecky RE, Barlow-Busch L. 1999. Factors controlling pelagic algal abundance and composition in Lake Malawi/Nyasa. In: Bootsma HA and Hecky RE, editors. Water quality report: Lake Malawi/Nyasa biodiversity conservation project. Senga Bay, Malawi: Southern African Development Community(SADC)/Global Environmental Facility (GEF). p. 143-190.
  • Islam MM, Lenz OK, Azad AK, Ara MH, Rahman M, Hassan N. 2017. Assessment of Spatio-Temporal Variations in Water Quality of Shailmari River, Khulna (Bangladesh) Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques. J Geosci Environ Prot. 5:1-26. doi: 10.4236/gep.2017.51001
  • Jain S, Sharma G, Mathur YP. 2013. Effects of Temperature Variations on Fish in Lakes. Int J Eng Technol. 2(10):2516-2523.
  • Jarvie HP, Whitton BA, Neal C. 1998. Nitrogen and phosphorus in east coast British Rivers: Speciation, sources and biological significance. J Sci Total Environ. 210-211:79-109. doi: 10.1016/S0048-9697(98)00109-0
  • Kelly R, Kalin RM, Bertram D, Kanjaye M, Nkhata M, Sibande H. 2019. Quantification of Temporal Variation in Base Flow Index Using Sporadic River Data: Application to the Bua Catchment, Malawi. J Water. 11(5):1-17. doi: 10.3390/w11050901
  • Laws EA. 2000. Aquatic pollution: An introductory text. (3rd edn). New York, USA: Wiley 639 p.
  • Limuwa M, Kaunda E, Maguza-Tembo F, Msukwa AV, Jamu D. 2013. Influence of Water Quality Parameters on Opsaridium Microlepis (GUNTHER 1864) Catches in the Linthipe River Catchment, Central Malawi. Indian J Fundam Appl Life Sci. 3(3):69-75.
  • Marthe YK, Lanciné GD, Bamory K, Aristide DG, Ardjouma D. 2015. Seasonal and Spatial Variations in Water Physicochemical Quality of Coastal Potou Lagoon (Côte d’Ivoire,West Africa). J Water Resour Prot. 7(9):741-748. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.79061
  • Panigrahi S, Acharya BC, Panigrahy RC, Nayak BK, Banarjee K, Sarkar SK. 2007. Anthropogenic Impact on Water Quality of Chilika Lagoon RAMSAR Site: A Statistical Approach. J Wetl Ecol Manag. 15(2):113-126. doi: 10.1007/s11273-006-9017-3
  • Ravindra K, Kaushik A. 2003. Seasonal variations in physico-chemical characteristics of River Yamuna in Haryana and its ecological best-designated use. J Environ Monit. 5(3):419-426. doi: 10.1039/B301723K
  • Quinn JM, Cooper AB, Davies-Colley RJ, Rutherford JC, Williamson RB. 1997. Land use effects on habitat, water quality, periphyton, and benthic invertebrates in Waikato, New Zealand, hill-country streams. New Zealand Journ Mar Freshwat Res. 31(5):579-597. doi: 10.1080/00288330.1997.9516791
  • Stainton MP, Capel MJ, Armstrong AJ. 1977. The Chemical Analysis of Freshwater. Canada: Miscellaneous Special Publication 180 p.
  • Tweddle D. 1983. The fish and fisheries of lake Malawi. Luso J Sci Techn. 4(2):55-83.
  • UNECE-ECS. 1992. ECE Standards Statistical Classification of freshwater Quality for the Maintenance of Aquatic Life. Geneva: United Nations, Economic and Social Council 33 p.
  • Vega M, Pardo R, Barrado E, Deban L. 1998. Assessment of seasonal and polluting effects on the quality of River water by exploratory data analysis. J Water Res. 32(12):3581-3592. doi: 10.1016/S0043-1354(98)00138-9
  • Ward JV, Stanford JA. 1982. Thermal responses in the evolutionary ecology of aquatic insects. Ann Rev Entomol. 27:97-117. doi: 10.1146/annurev.en.27.010182.000525
  • Webster IA, Ford PW, Hancock G. 2001. Phosphorus dynamics in Australian Lowland Rivers. Mar Freshwat Res. 52(1):127-137. doi: 10.1071/MF00037
  • Wellborn GA, Robinson JV. 1996. Effects of a thermal effluent on macro invertebrates in a central Texas reservoir. Am Midl Nat. 136(1):110-120. doi: 10.2307/2426636
  • Wetzel RG, Likens GE. 2000. Limnological Analyses. (3rd edn). New York, the USA: Springer 429 p.
  • WHO. 2006. World Health Organization. Guidelines for drinking-water quality (electronic resource): incorporating first addendum, 3rd ed., vol. 1. [cited 2021 Feb 3]. Available from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43428/9241546964_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  • Wood PJ, Armitage PD. 1997. Biological effects of fine sediment in the lotic environment. Environ Manag. 21(2):203-217. doi: 10.1007/s002679900019
  • Wood CM, Rogano MS. 1986. Physiological responses to acid stress in crayfish (Orconectes): hemolymph ions, acid-base status, and exchanges with the environment. Can J Fish Aquat Sci. 43(5):1017-1026. doi: 10.1139/f86-126
  • Wu JY. (2005). Assessing surface water quality of the Yangtze Estuary with genotoxicity data. Mar Pollut Bull. 50(12):1661-1667. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2005.07.001

Year 2022, Volume: 8 Issue: 3, 210 - 226, 30.12.2022

Yamikani Balaka Hermis Julio Chagoma

https://doi.org/10.17216/limnofish.1072208

Abstract

References

  • Addiscott TM, Brockie D, Catt JA, Christian DG, Harris GL, Howse KR, Mirza NA, Pepper TJ. 2000. Phosphate losses through field drains in a heavy cultivated soil. J Environ Qual. 29(2):522-532. doi: 10.2134/jeq2000.00472425002900020021x
  • Al-Badaii F, Shuhaimi-Othman M, Gasim MB. 2013. Water Quality Assessment of the Semenyih River, Selangor, Malaysia. J Chem. 2013:1-10. doi: 10.1155/2013/871056
  • Allan JD. 2004. Landscapes and Riverscapes: The Influence of Land Use on Stream Ecosystems. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst. 35(1):257-284. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.35.120202.110122
  • Amadi AN. 2010. Effects of Urbanization on Groundwater Quality: A Case Study of Port-Harcourt, Southern Nigeria. Nat Appl Sci. 11(2):143-152.
  • Araújo FG, de Azevedo MCC, Ferreira MNL. 2011. Seasonal changes and spatial variation in the water quality of a eutrophic tropical reservoir determined by the inflowing river. Lake Reserv Manag. 27(4):343-354. doi: 10.1080/07438141.2011.627753
  • Aure J, Stigebrandt A. 1990. Quantitative estimates of the eutrophication effects of fish farming on fjords. Aquaculture. 90(2):135-156. doi: 10.1016/0044-8486(90)90337-M
  • Berrill M, Taylor G, Savard H. 1991. Are chloride cells involved in low pH tolerance and sensitivity? The mayfly possibility. Can J Fish Aquat Sci. 48(7):1220-1225. doi: 10.1139/f91-147
  • Bone Q, Moore R. 2008. Biology of Fishes, 3rd Ed. London: Taylor & Francis 450 p.
  • Carpenter SR, Caraco NF, Correll DL, Howarth RW, Sharpley AN, Smith VH. 1998. Nonpoint pollution of surface waters with phosphorus and nitrogen. Ecol Appl. 8(3):559-568. doi:10.1890/1051-0761(1998)008[0559:NPOSWW]2.0.CO;2
  • Dallas HF, Day JA. 2004. The effect of water quality variables on aquatic ecosystems: a review. Pretoria, Republic of South Africa: Water Research Commission. Report No.: 224/04.
  • Dan-Hassan MA, Olasehinde PI, Amadi AN, Yisa J, Jacob JO. 2012. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Nitrate Pollution in Groundwater of Abuja, Nigeria. Int J Chem. 4(3):104-113. doi: 10.5539/ijc.v4n3p104
  • Dillion PJ, Rigler FH. 1974. The phosphorus chlorophyll relationship in lakes. Limnol Oceanogr. 19(5): 767–773.
  • Duffus JH. 1980. Environmental Toxicology. Edwards Arnold Publishers, London. 164pp.
  • DWAF. 1996. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. South African Water Quality Guidelines; Volume 7: Aquatic Ecosystems; [cited 2020 Dec 10]. Available from: https://www.dws.gov.za/iwqs/wq_guide/edited/Pol_saWQguideFRESH_vol7_Aquaticecosystems.pdf
  • Government of Malawi. 2011. Water Resources Investment Strategy, Component 1-Water Resources Assessmnt, Annex 1(ii) for WRAs 5-10. Lilongwe, Malawi: Government of Malawi; [cited 2020 Dec 15]. Available from: https://iwa-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Case-study_Malawi_final.pdf
  • Government of Malawi. 2017. National Water Resources Master Plan 2017. Main Report Existing situation. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi; [cited 2020 Dec 15]. Available from: https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12184537_07.pdf
  • Guildford SJ, Taylor WD, Boostma HA, Hendzel LL, Hecky RE, Barlow-Busch L. 1999. Factors controlling pelagic algal abundance and composition in Lake Malawi/Nyasa. In: Bootsma HA and Hecky RE, editors. Water quality report: Lake Malawi/Nyasa biodiversity conservation project. Senga Bay, Malawi: Southern African Development Community(SADC)/Global Environmental Facility (GEF). p. 143-190.
  • Islam MM, Lenz OK, Azad AK, Ara MH, Rahman M, Hassan N. 2017. Assessment of Spatio-Temporal Variations in Water Quality of Shailmari River, Khulna (Bangladesh) Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques. J Geosci Environ Prot. 5:1-26. doi: 10.4236/gep.2017.51001
  • Jain S, Sharma G, Mathur YP. 2013. Effects of Temperature Variations on Fish in Lakes. Int J Eng Technol. 2(10):2516-2523.
  • Jarvie HP, Whitton BA, Neal C. 1998. Nitrogen and phosphorus in east coast British Rivers: Speciation, sources and biological significance. J Sci Total Environ. 210-211:79-109. doi: 10.1016/S0048-9697(98)00109-0
  • Kelly R, Kalin RM, Bertram D, Kanjaye M, Nkhata M, Sibande H. 2019. Quantification of Temporal Variation in Base Flow Index Using Sporadic River Data: Application to the Bua Catchment, Malawi. J Water. 11(5):1-17. doi: 10.3390/w11050901
  • Laws EA. 2000. Aquatic pollution: An introductory text. (3rd edn). New York, USA: Wiley 639 p.
  • Limuwa M, Kaunda E, Maguza-Tembo F, Msukwa AV, Jamu D. 2013. Influence of Water Quality Parameters on Opsaridium Microlepis (GUNTHER 1864) Catches in the Linthipe River Catchment, Central Malawi. Indian J Fundam Appl Life Sci. 3(3):69-75.
  • Marthe YK, Lanciné GD, Bamory K, Aristide DG, Ardjouma D. 2015. Seasonal and Spatial Variations in Water Physicochemical Quality of Coastal Potou Lagoon (Côte d’Ivoire,West Africa). J Water Resour Prot. 7(9):741-748. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.79061
  • Panigrahi S, Acharya BC, Panigrahy RC, Nayak BK, Banarjee K, Sarkar SK. 2007. Anthropogenic Impact on Water Quality of Chilika Lagoon RAMSAR Site: A Statistical Approach. J Wetl Ecol Manag. 15(2):113-126. doi: 10.1007/s11273-006-9017-3
  • Ravindra K, Kaushik A. 2003. Seasonal variations in physico-chemical characteristics of River Yamuna in Haryana and its ecological best-designated use. J Environ Monit. 5(3):419-426. doi: 10.1039/B301723K
  • Quinn JM, Cooper AB, Davies-Colley RJ, Rutherford JC, Williamson RB. 1997. Land use effects on habitat, water quality, periphyton, and benthic invertebrates in Waikato, New Zealand, hill-country streams. New Zealand Journ Mar Freshwat Res. 31(5):579-597. doi: 10.1080/00288330.1997.9516791
  • Stainton MP, Capel MJ, Armstrong AJ. 1977. The Chemical Analysis of Freshwater. Canada: Miscellaneous Special Publication 180 p.
  • Tweddle D. 1983. The fish and fisheries of lake Malawi. Luso J Sci Techn. 4(2):55-83.
  • UNECE-ECS. 1992. ECE Standards Statistical Classification of freshwater Quality for the Maintenance of Aquatic Life. Geneva: United Nations, Economic and Social Council 33 p.
  • Vega M, Pardo R, Barrado E, Deban L. 1998. Assessment of seasonal and polluting effects on the quality of River water by exploratory data analysis. J Water Res. 32(12):3581-3592. doi: 10.1016/S0043-1354(98)00138-9
  • Ward JV, Stanford JA. 1982. Thermal responses in the evolutionary ecology of aquatic insects. Ann Rev Entomol. 27:97-117. doi: 10.1146/annurev.en.27.010182.000525
  • Webster IA, Ford PW, Hancock G. 2001. Phosphorus dynamics in Australian Lowland Rivers. Mar Freshwat Res. 52(1):127-137. doi: 10.1071/MF00037
  • Wellborn GA, Robinson JV. 1996. Effects of a thermal effluent on macro invertebrates in a central Texas reservoir. Am Midl Nat. 136(1):110-120. doi: 10.2307/2426636
  • Wetzel RG, Likens GE. 2000. Limnological Analyses. (3rd edn). New York, the USA: Springer 429 p.
  • WHO. 2006. World Health Organization. Guidelines for drinking-water quality (electronic resource): incorporating first addendum, 3rd ed., vol. 1. [cited 2021 Feb 3]. Available from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43428/9241546964_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  • Wood PJ, Armitage PD. 1997. Biological effects of fine sediment in the lotic environment. Environ Manag. 21(2):203-217. doi: 10.1007/s002679900019
  • Wood CM, Rogano MS. 1986. Physiological responses to acid stress in crayfish (Orconectes): hemolymph ions, acid-base status, and exchanges with the environment. Can J Fish Aquat Sci. 43(5):1017-1026. doi: 10.1139/f86-126
  • Wu JY. (2005). Assessing surface water quality of the Yangtze Estuary with genotoxicity data. Mar Pollut Bull. 50(12):1661-1667. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2005.07.001
There are 39 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Limnology
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Yamikani Balaka 0000-0003-3031-402X

Hermis Julio Chagoma 0000-0001-5449-4294

Publication Date December 30, 2022
Published in Issue Year 2022Volume: 8 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Balaka, Y., & Chagoma, H. J. (2022). Spatial and Temporal Variations in Water Quality Along the Bua River, Malawi. Journal of Limnology and Freshwater Fisheries Research, 8(3), 210-226. https://doi.org/10.17216/limnofish.1072208