Assessment of Surface Water Quality and Environmental Implication in Watari Basin Kano State, Nigeria
Musbahu Abdulkadir Dangambo1*, Kabiru Inuwa2, and Ahmad Garba1
Abstract
This study assessed the spatial and temporal variations of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Lead (Pb), and Cadmium (Cd) in surface water across six monitoring stations in the Watari Basin, Nigeria, during August and September 2026. Laboratory results showed low dissolved-solute loading, with mean TDS concentrations of 55.98 ± 17.96 mg/L in August and 65.68 ± 29.70 mg/L in September, remaining below the 500 mg/L Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) limit at all stations. Moreover, nutrient concentrations increased temporally, with N rising by 40.3% from 14.38 ± 3.41 to 20.18 ± 8.24 mg/L and P by 17.6% from 3.44 ± 0.99 to 4.04 ± 1.36 mg/L. September maxima at Wankau (30.43 mg/L N) and Gudumin Dutse (6.06 mg/L P) indicate substantial agricultural runoff, fertilizer leaching, and domestic wastewater inputs, with implications for eutrophication and oxygen depletion. Most critically, Pb and Cd exceeded NSDWQ limits at all sites during both months. Mean Pb concentrations were 1.16 ± 0.45 mg/L in August and 0.79 ± 0.33 mg/L in September, while Cd remained 0.22 mg/L, substantially exceeding the respective standards. Paired-samples t-tests showed no significant monthly differences for TDS (p = .268), N (.247), P (.426), Pb (.138), or Cd (1.000). The persistent metal contamination indicates chronic ecological and human-health risks, including bioaccumulation, nephrotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. Immediate catchment management, agrochemical regulation, riparian restoration, and sustained sediment and biological monitoring are therefore recommended.
Keywords
watari basin; surface-water quality; heavy-metal contamination; nutrient pollution; environmental risk
Cite This Article
Dangambo, M. A., Inuwa, K., Garba, A. (2026). Assessment of Surface Water Quality and Environmental Implication in Watari Basin Kano State, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 7| Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026, Pages 573-582 URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Volume7-Issue5-Sep-Oct-No.1078-573-582.pdf
Volume 7 | Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026
