Horizontal variation in water chemistry and its relationship with phytoplankton and invertebrate communities in Lake Kwania

Data was obtained sampling carried
out on Lake Kwania, the second largest lake in the Kyoga aquatic system.

Sampling
was conducted four times between September 2016 and June 2017, covering at
least one of the wet (September 2016) and dry seasons (January, February, and
June 2017). Water chemistry parameters including; dissolved
oxygen, temperature, pH and electrical conductivity were measured in situ at the different sites using the
HQ40d portable HACH Multiprobe. Depth profiles for the selected parameters
represented only data captured in June 2017. Light transparency was measured
using a Secchi disc of 25 cm wide diameter. Water samples for Chlorophyll a
concentration determination were collected at 0.5 m below the surface, and
analysed using methanol extraction (Stainton et al., 1977). Water samples for
nutrient analysis were drawn using a 2L Van Dorn sampler and analysed using
various standard methods as set out in Wetzel & Likens (2000).