Evaluation of Seasonal Dynamics in Physicochemical Parameters of River Taraba, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the seasonal and monthly variations in the physico-chemical parameters of River Taraba, Nigeria. Parameters measured included temperature, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), nitrate (NO₃⁻), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), and hardness. Seasonal comparison revealed statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) in transparency, DO, EC, nitrate, and phosphate levels, with higher concentrations generally recorded during the dry season. In contrast, temperature, pH, and hardness did not vary significantly between seasons (P > 0.01). Monthly analysis within seasons showed no significant variation across the dry months, indicating relative stability. However, all parameters exhibited significant monthly fluctuations during the wet season (P ≤ 0.01), reflecting increased environmental dynamics due to rainfall and surface runoff. These findings underscore the importance of seasonality in water quality monitoring and suggest a greater impact of anthropogenic and natural inputs during the wet season. Continuous assessment is recommended to guide water resource management and conservation strategies in the region.