Open AccessThe Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Abiotic Parameters of the Lake Tanganyika Sub Catchment
Author(s) -
Hudson H. Nkotagu
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
tanzania journal of engineering and technology/tanzania journal of engeering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1821-536X
pISSN - 2619-8789
DOI - 10.52339/tjet.v31i2.426
Subject(s) - abiotic component , turbidity , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , nutrient , multivariate statistics , turbidite , drainage basin , ecology , sediment , environmental chemistry , chemistry , biology , geology , geography , mathematics , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , cartography , statistics
Results from multivariate statistical analysis of abiotic parameters conducted during the dry season at 20accessible sites on 8 rivers, 2 lakes and a dam covering the Lake Tanganyika sub catchment are discussed.Standard methods were used to determine the levels of abiotic parameters from water samples. Physicalparameters including DO, EC, Eh, turbidity, temperature, pH and secchi transparency were measured in situwhile chlorophyll a was determined in the laboratory. Nutrients such as NO3-, SiO2, PO43- and Fe2+weredetermined along with HCO3-. Factor analysis resulted in four factors including increased primaryproductivity, redox conditions, dissolution, and reduction processes. Processes including dissolution,diffusion, adsorption, absorption, nitrification, denitrification, mixing and reduction along with theanthropogenic activities, increased photosynthetic activity of algae and the geomorphology of the ecosystemscontribute to the variation of the abiotic parameters. It is recommended that quantification of river flows,sediment load and nutrient budget at various sampling points be determined seasonally for proper evaluationof the hydrologic and limnological functioning of the ecosystem.