Assessment of water quality variables of River Kaduna using remote sensing and geographic information system

Abstract

The study utilizes remote sensing and a geographic information system (GIS) for mapping water quality conditions of the River Kaduna, as a proxy to fish production. Spatial distribution of Nitrate, Phosphate, Dissolved oxygen, Water Temperature, Depth, Chloride, Alkalinity, Hardness, pH and Conductivity has been applied. The co-ordinate points of each identified sampling stations were taken using Global Positioning System (GPS). A Google Earth image from the Internet acquired in April 2012 was processed by digitizing. Overall map of the water bodies identified was produced by carving out the shape of the water body. Ten maps were produced to geographically demonstrate the water quality parameters sampled using range values obtained. The results showed that stations III, IV and V of the river favour fish production than stations I and II. The study confirms that remote sensing coupled with GIS would be a very useful tool for mapping water quality