Influence of Seasonality on Water Quality Parameters and Fisheries Economic Returns in the Hadejia–Nguru Wetlands, Nigeria

Research Article

Abstract

The seasonal influx of agricultural, municipal and industrial pollutants into the Hadejia-Jama’are Wetlands become alarming due to chemicals from irrigation, animal manure and human excretory wastes in this study. However, these factors influence the water quality and indirectly affect the biodiversity, leading to a decline in fish yield, which in turns affects fisheries’ economic returns negatively. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of physicochemical parameters measured across three experimental sites (Nguru, Hadejia and Guri) within the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, bi-annual period of eighteen (18) months between August, 2024 and January, 2026. Therefore, this extended monitoring period captures two complete hydrological cycles, encompassing four distinct seasons, these includes the two (2) wet seasons (April to October) and two dry seasons (November to March). Analytically, parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity, DO, BOD, alkalinity, EC and NH3 were assessed using NIFFR Calorimetric Test Kits; thus, provided robust analysed data for seasonal variations in this work. Also the well-structured questionnaires were administered for the assessment of fisheries economic returns at the nine (9) sampling points across these three (3) stations in HNWs. Software such as MS-Excel (2016) and SPSS Version-23 were used for the analysis. Therefore, radar charts were generated from monthly data that revealed distinct seasonal patterns which are crucial for understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of water quality and their implications for fisheries management. These findings revealed the insight that extensively coincided with some domestic literature on Nigerian river systems and wetland fisheries. In this research, the bi-annual comparison revealed consistently the alkalinity patterns between years, with variations of less than 5% between corresponding months. Also, there is strong positive correlation (r = 0.747) between alkalinity and BOD, contrarily and strong negative correlation (r = -0.806) between DO and temperature. Whereas, this trend revealed the strong positive correlation (r = 0.834) between temperature and ammonia. Though, to some extent exposes seasonal variations between months and across the three experimental sites. In this work it was discovered that the physicochemical parameters showed distinct patterns, with wet season turbidity peaks (8.0–8.5 NTU) and dry season temperature maxima (30.0–30.5°C). Notwithstanding, Nguru maintained the most stable conditions, while Guri presented the most challenging environment. Also, the outcome of this study exposed the fisheries annual yield and economic returns for the three (3) study sites. However, the estimated annual economic yields of ₦54.86 million, ₦49.64 million and ₦40.80 million in Nguru, Guri and Hadejia respectively, with a total aggregate yield of ₦145.3 million per annum. Based on these findings it was discovered that the effort peaked at 30 to 32 man-days daily in the wet season. Hence, the monitoring of physicochemical variables and fisheries economic returns in the HNWs help to establish the baseline information that guides the management and conservation of its resources, also to enhance the livelihood and economic development.