Abstract
SPATIAL VARIATIONS IN THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF SOME SELECTED LOCATIONS IN LAGOS LAGOON, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA.

The physicochemical parameters of selected stations in Lagos Lagoon, Southwestern Nigeria were investigated from May, 2014 to July, 2014, in order to examine the current impact of human activities along the stations. Sampling was carried out monthly; the physicochemical parameters investigated are: pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, ambient temperature, water temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Water samples were collected for physicochemical parameter using standard procedures according to APHA .Horiba U10 multi water checker was deployed in-situ, to determine the physico-chemical parameters. Samples for BOD were fixed at the wet and instrumentation laboratory of the Physical and chemical oceanography, Nigerian Institute for oceanography and marine research, Lagos, Nigeria. The observed data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Microsoft Excel Descriptive Statistical Tool. Statistical 7 software package, at 95% confidence limit were employed to test for the variability of parameters between stations. There was no significant difference across all the stations in the physicochemical variables except at; Apapa Port, Okobaba and Unilag water front. The latter showed a significant difference (p<0.05) with other stations .The Atlascove station exhibit; a distinct salinity and electrical conductivity, this is as a result of its close proximity to the sea, while, Ijora station exhibit high; pH and water temperature, an evidence of point source impact of human induced activities. All the measured physicochemical parameters were either within or below ranges of international permissible levels in water, except, Apapa station (High BOD, DO). Generally, the data obtained suggests that: anthropogenic disturbance and the cultivations of several types of activities with increased point and non-point storm water runoff shunted directly into Lagos Lagoon has negatively affected the water quality. These had made the relationships between most of the measured parameters at the different locations to be complex .However; the studied area still has a positive integrity to support aquatic life