COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF LANDUSE LANDCOVER CHANGES ON WATER QUALITY OF RIVER KADUNA FROM 2012-2020 AT WUYA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigates the effects of land use land cover changes on water quality of River Kaduna from 2012-2020 at Wuya, Niger state, Nigeria using Landsat 7 imagery. Five classes of LULC types where selected and used as basis for classification. Also, five (5) sampling stations selected on the water body for water quality analysis which were collected once monthly for a period of six months from February 2020 to July 2020. The results of LULC classification depicts an increase in water body from 2.241km2 in 2012 to 3.029km2 in 2020 while Agricultural areas increased drastically from 4.718km2 in 2012 to 22.862km2 in 2020. Physical and Chemical parameters showed range values of Total dissolved solids varying from (15.54±18.00 - 61.00±21.38) in 2012 while (3.67±1.05 - 5.67±2.57) in 2020, Alkalinity was between (31.33±8.08 - 62.33±17.79) in 2012 whereas (21.33±11.55 - 29.33±6.11) in 2020, Hardness ranged from (38.67±4.16 - 51.33±10.26) in 2012 whereas (15.00±1.73 - 22.33±7.77) in 2020. The result showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) except Total dissolved solids, Alkalinity and Hardness which recorded higher values on both seasons across stations and months. In general, the study revealed increase in agricultural area drastically, so there is a need to constantly monitor and update the check list of land use land cover, Physical and Chemical parameters changes in and around the River to control anthropogenic pollution from residence, on the water and from nearby farmlands. Keywords: Land Use Land Cover, Water Quality, River, Wuya, Physical and Chemical