Open AccessWater Physico-Chemical Characteristics of the Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, Rwanda
Author(s) -
Valens Habimana,
Antoine Nsabimana
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
rwanda journal of engineering, science, technology and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2617-233X
pISSN - 2617-2321
DOI - 10.4314/rjeste.v3i2.5
Subject(s) - eutrophication , environmental science , water quality , phosphorus , hydrology (agriculture) , agriculture , environmental chemistry , environmental protection , nutrient , ecology , geology , chemistry , biology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
Rwanda possesses multiple lakes, whose properties were rarely described. The present study assessed physico-chemical characteristics of water in Burera and Ruhondo lakes located in highly populated area with steep slopes, which are under extensive agriculture, thus water quality monitoring is important. Both lakes were alkaline with high content of Mg, while Ruhondo had higher electrical conductivity than Burera. Phosphorus and nitrogen exceeded Class III EPA standards indicating that both lakes are at risk of eutrophication.
Keywords: water quality, lakes Burera and Ruhondo, Rwanda