SPATIAL VARIATION OF WATER QUALITY AND MACRO-INVERTEBRATE DISTRIBUTION OF PINDIGA POND, AKKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, GOMBE STATE.

ABSTACT Water bodies play an essential role in supporting biodiversity and providing vital ecosystem services, especially in local communities where freshwater ponds are relied upon for domestic, agricultural, and recreational purposes. This study investigated the spatial variation in water quality and macro-invertebrate distribution in Pindiga Pond, located in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State. The purpose was to assess the ecological health of the pond by analyzing selected physicochemical parameters and evaluating the composition and distribution of macro-invertebrates across different sampling points. By linking these biological indicators with environmental variables, the study aimed to understand the extent of pollution and ecological integrity of the water body. Water samples were collected from selected sites along the pond and analyzed using standard laboratory procedures to determine physicochemical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and nitrate levels. Macro-invertebrate samples were also collected using a standardized kick sampling method with a D-frame net, followed by preservation and identification using established taxonomic keys. The data collected were statistically analyzed to examine spatial patterns and correlations between water quality and macro-invertebrate distribution. The results showed variations in physicochemical parameters across the sampling sites, with some areas exhibiting elevated levels of turbidity, low dissolved oxygen, and increased BOD—suggestive of organic pollution. Macro-invertebrate diversity was found to be higher in relatively clean zones and reduced in areas with poorer water quality. Sensitive taxa such as Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) were largely absent in more polluted sites, while tolerant organisms such as Chironomidae and Physidae dominated those areas. This pattern aligns with known ecological responses of macro-invertebrates to water quality gradients and serves as a biological indicator of environmental stress.