Physicochemical and Multivariate Analysis of Aveeluz and Alabukunfun Tributaries in Kuto Community, Ogun State, Nigeria

Tributaries which are smaller streams that feed into larger rivers play a crucial role in the river ecosystems. These water bodies carry water, sediments, and nutrients from surroundings into a main river influencing water quality. This study aimed to determine some physicochemical parameters and their association in Aveeluz and Alabukunfun tributaries in Kuto Community, Ogun State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from five (5) stations each from both tributaries. pH and Temperature were tested on site then further analysis were carried out by standard procedures in the laboratory. The results revealed that Aveeluz tributary has the highest mean pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, and total dissolved solids in station E (6.15, 162.33 µS/cm, 80.33, 80 ppm) respectively while Alabukunfun tributary highest mean temperature, total alkalinity, total acidity in station D (27.90 oC, 63.00 and 15.00 mg/L) respectively. The physiochemical parameters except (pH) across the stations in each tributary were within the WHO standard. Multivariate statistic such as correlation showed a significantly moderate positive correlation between pH and EC (0.558), and salinity (0.546), p<0.05. Strong positively correlation between EC and TDS (0.859) and salinity (0.881), TDS and salinity (0.880) p<0.01 for Aveeluz Tributary. Furthermore, a significantly moderate correlation between TDS and salinity (0.569) p<0.01 was observed for Alabukunfun tributary, while principal component analysis (PCA) revealed three components for both tributaries with similar relationship pattern to the correlation. Additionally, this study revealed an unacceptable low pH level across the tributaries which could be linked to it lotic nature.