Assessment of the Spatial Variation of Water Quality Variables Along a Salinity Gradient in Lake Naivasha and Lake Oloiden
Carolyne K Guto*, James M Njiru, Albert Getabu and Zipporah M Gichana
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted monthly for one-year in Lakes Naivasha and Oloiden. It's main aim was to assess spatial variations in physico chemical parameters along a salinity gradient in the Lakes Naivasha and Oloiden. Some water quality variables were measured insitu and water samples were collected for laboratory analysis. The depth, secchi depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, pH and phosphorus varied amongst the sites. Nitrates, chlorophyll-a and total suspended solids did not vary in the seven sites. There were variations in pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature with depth on contrast with salinity, conductivity and total dissolved solids. Lakes Naivasha and Lake Oloiden had a positive correlation between the dissolved oxygen with temperature: salinity with conductivity and the pH with total dissolved solids and temperature. An estuarine environment could lead to changes in some water quality variables in a non- linear form e.g., thermalcline and oxycline in Oseria. There was spatial variation in some water quality variables.
