Effects of Seasonality on Physico-Chemical Properties and Selected Ligands on Rivers in Sigor Division, West Pokot County, Kenya

Abstract

There is need to determine the exact nature of river systems for key decisions such as water treatment, construction of irrigation dams, piping systems or bridges to be made. Seasonality affects the nature and amounts of compounds getting into or out of rivers. It is therefore critical to know the exact amounts of physico-chemicals and ligands in water systems. This study aimed at analyzing the levels of various physico-chemicals and ligands in the rivers of Sigor division, West Pokot county, Kenya during different seasons. Sampling was done at four different parts of the four rivers (Weiwei, Chesogon, Lomut and Muruny) during both the wet and dry seasons. Analysis was then conducted, in situ for most physico-chemicals and later on by UV-VIS spectroscopy for the ligands. The findings revealed that there was a great impact of seasonality on most of the physico-chemical parameters analyzed. Crucial parameters such as pH, temperature, conductivity and turbidity were all affected by seasonality. The rivers did not however differ significantly in most of the physico-chemical parameters. Muruny river, however experienced more values of physico-chemical parameters due to its agricultural neighborhood. The phosphate values in the rivers were way above the permissible values. However, nitrate values were within the recommended values whereas sulfate values in the rivers were below the threshold values.