Assessment of Spatio-temporal variation of selected Physico-chemical properties of Kapkatet Wetland, Kericho County, Kenya

Abstract

Spatio-temporal variation in physico-chemical properties of Kapkatet Wetland was studied. Globally, anthropogenic activities have compromised the integrity of wetlands as far as their sustainability is concerned. Kapkatet wetland is of great importance to the local community and the natural environment. However, it is under threat from anthropogenic activities and climate change effects which has altered its structure and functionality. The study was conducted to investigate the impact of anthropogenic activities on selected water quality parameters and nutrients concentration. Physico-chemical parameters were measured in situ using a multimeter parameter probe (model no YS1 15B) at three sampling stations for a period of six months February to July 2019. Nutrient samples were collected in triplicates and analyzed using standard method described in APHA, 1998. Data was analyzed using ANOVA at p = 0.05 to investigate whether there were significant differences among sites and months. Tukey’s pairwise comparison was done for any significant difference detected. The spatial results showed the mean DO to be 4.84 ± 0.97 mg/L, pH 5.7 ± 0.61, Temperature 21.26 ± 1.51 °C, NO3-N 41.6 ± 51.69 μg/L, SRP 364.98 ± 237.87 μg/L and NH4-N 33.47 ± 31.76 μg/L. Temporal results showed the mean DO to be 4.84 ± 1.07 mg/L, pH 5.7 ± 0.96, temperature 21.26 ± 1.03 °C, NO3-N 41.61 ± 38.19 μg/L, SRP 33.47 ± 10.43 μg/L and NH4-N 16.43 ± 6.75 μg/L. These findings confirm that the various anthropogenic activities within the wetland have negative impacts on the Kapkatet wetland water quality. In order to improve water quality in this wetland, proper management of wetland should be done as far as farming activities along the riparian zones, human encroachment and demarcation of the wetland is concerned.