Physico-chemical characterization of Lake Togbadji

Abstract

This study focused on the physico-chemical characterization of Lake Togbadji, located in southwestern Benin. The methodological approach followed was as follows: literature review, sampling and in-situ measurements, analysis of collected samples, and data processing. Parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, TDS, and ORP were determined in-situ, while color, TSS, and other parameters were analyzed in the laboratory. The obtained results were subjected to descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon test for two samples to determine the impact of different locations on the abundance of microbiological contaminants, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using R software version 3.5.0 to group pollution parameters according to different levels and sources of contamination. From our results, it was found that the main sources of pollution in Lake Togbadji are runoff water, various wastewater discharges from artisanal activities, livestock farming, and open defecation. On a physico-chemical level, the recorded levels do not suggest pollution of the lake.