Abstract:
The mean concentrations of dissolved oxygen at Kalange-Makwanzi (Upstream Transect) and Buyala-Kikubamutwe (Downstream Transect) were comparable over the monitoring period (Table 3.1.1). Spatial variations of the physical-chemical parameters along the transects were slight and above the permissible National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) lower limit of 3 mgL-1, which is the minimum concentration required for survival of most aquatic organisms including fish.
The mean pH was neutral (7.0) at Kalange-Makwanzi, weakly alkaline in the mid reservoir (7.5) and at Buyala-Kikubamutwe (7.2); and was within the NEMA permissible range of 6 to 8. Water temperatures were slightly higher than those of September 2012 but within the permissible NEMA range of 20ºC to 35ºC.