Spatial evaluation of physico-chemical properties of River Benue in relation to the habitat requirements of manatee

Spatial evaluation of the physico-Chemical parameters of River Benue in relation to the habitat requirements of west African Manatee  were conducted. The river was divided into four segments; Makurdi, Abinsi, Gbajimba and Gbaji. In each segment, ten (10) sample points were randomly selected and the following parameters; Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Total dissolved solid, (TDS) Electrical conductivity (EC) and Biological oxygen demand (BOD) were measured. Data collected was subjected to statistical analysis.  The result indicated that there were significant differences in the pH, Electrical conductivity, and Biological oxygen demand (BOD) among the four study areas.The result also indicated significant differences between the rainy season and dry season conditions of the water body.The result indicated that Manatees were highly adaptable to the physico-chemical differences between the rainy season and the dry season.