CHEMICAL QUALITY OF SOIL AND SEDIMENTS OF LAKE TOHO LOCATED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MONO, SOUTH-WEST OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN

Abstract

n order to assess the pollution status of the sediments in Lake Toho, soil and sediment samples were collected and analyzed using a spectrophotometer. pH values were measured using a HANNA pHmeter probe after sediment treatment. These values show that Lake Toho sediments are basic in the dry season and acidic in the rainy season. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are present in high concentrations in the soils surrounding the lake and in the lake sediments. The same applies to heavy metals such as copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, and chromium in the sediments of the lake. These levels of nutrients and metals pose a significant threat to the aquatic organisms present in the lake. It is urgent to establish a management and control system for activities around the lake.