Environmental & Analytical Toxicology

Effect of Water Quality Characteristics on Fish Population of the Lake Volta, Ghana

Abstract

Elegbede Isa Olalekan, Fatima Kies, Lawal-Are Aderonke Omolara, Salau Damilola Rashidat, Fashina-Bombata Hakeem, Akintola Shehu Latunji, Aderolu Ademola Zaid, Ndimele Emeka, Onyema Ikenna Charles and Fadeyi Oluwaseun

This study examines the effect of physicochemical parameters on different categories of fish species; benthopelagic, pelagic and demersal on Lake Volta. The methods of this study were based on the estimation of hydrographic data, collection and analysis of physicochemical parameters of the water samples. Fish samples were collected from four sampling stations namely Oti River at Sabra, White Volta at Daboya, Black Volta at Bamboi and Lower Volta at Amedeka. This review work studies a study which was carried out between February 1995 and January, 1996. A statistical analysis was conducted. Water resource availability and mean annual rainfall of Lake Volta were highest in Black Volta and Oti River respectively. The results show pH 194-520, Conductivity (μS cm-1), Dissolved oxygen 8.0- 11.2 (mg/L), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 2.7-105 (mg/L), Alkalinity 35.3-53.8 (mg/L), Chloride 4.6-13.6 (mg/L), Calcium 4.8-10.1 (mg/L), Total Hardness 17.4-44.1 (mg/L), Magnesium 2.5-8.3 (mg/L), Ammonia-N 0.4-1.6 (mg/L), Phosphate 0.2-0.9 (mg/L), Nitrate 0.2-6.6 (mg/L), Nitrite 0.06-0.6 (mg/L) and Sulfate 1.2-8.9 (mg/L) respectively. The benthopelagic, pelagic and demersal fish population show 16, 6 and 11 number of different fish species respectively in the lake. The study concludes that the quality of the water is satisfactory when compared with other lakes. Anthropogenic activities is insignificant on the aquatic habitat and the appreciable fish population is an indication of good biological quality of the water body.