TITLE:
Comparative Study of Physico-Chemical and Biological Water Quality Upstream and Downstream of the Manantali Dam and Hydropower Plant from 2019 to 2023
AUTHORS:
Joseph Mbeur Faye, Saïdou Ndao, Louis Eugène Victor Sambou
KEYWORDS:
Manantali Dam, Physical Parameters, Chemical Parameters, Fish Fauna
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.12 No.10,
October
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: The comparative study is designed to monitor the physico-chemical and biological quality of the water upstream and downstream of the Manantali hydroelectric dam. The physico-chemical parameters are sampled at 3 measuring points located at Station 1 of the dam’s reservoir, immediately downstream of the dam and hydroelectric power station at the level of the damping basin, and at the Bafing-Bakoye confluence at Bafoulabe (Bafing side), the biological parameter (ichthyological fauna) is characterized by ichthyological inventories of landings in the various fishing camps around the reservoir and at the Mahina market (Bafing side). The study assesses the environmental impact of hydroelectric structures and facilities on the physico-chemical and biological quality of the water. Physical parameters such as temperature, conductivity, pH, turbidity and chemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, nitrite, nitrate, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, ammonium, iron, silica and phosphorus are measured in order to identify the various variations existing between the different measurement points. Analysis of the values obtained shows very high similarities between the various measuring points, and most parameters comply with WHO standards, with the exception of turbidity, manganese, hydrogen sulfide and iron. These data attest to good water quality, allowing normal development of flora and fauna with a low level of degradation. Comparative analysis of the ichthyological fauna shows the existence of 34 species of fish belonging to 11 families at the fishing camps around the Manantali dam reservoir, and 37 species belonging to 12 families at Mahina on the Bafing River. At Mahina on the Bafing, the specific composition of the catches is characterized by the presence of the Claroteidae family and four species (Alestes sp., Brycinus leuciscus, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Distichodus engycephalus) not recorded at the camps. In contrast, all the fish families recorded in the camps are present in Mahina, and only one species (Hydrocynus brevis) is absent from the Mahina landings. The difference in species richness could be explained by the upwelling of some fish from the Bakoye to the Bafing at the confluence. The Shannon diversity index of 4.07 at Mahina is higher than the 2.98 recorded at camp level, and the equitability index of 0.78 at Mahina and 0.58 at the camp level indicate average diversity and the non-dominance of one species over the others. The diversification index values of 3.09 and 3.08 at camp level and Mahina respectively show that the number of theoretical habitats is three.