Multivariate Analysis of Environmental Factors Influencing Fish Health and Productivity in Earthen Pond Aquaculture Systems in Sokoto State, Nigeria

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@article{1719532,
      author = {Mubarak Hassan Augie, Balkisu Hassan Augie, Ibrahim Aminu Rdoruwa},
      title = {Multivariate Analysis of Environmental Factors Influencing Fish Health and Productivity in Earthen Pond Aquaculture Systems in Sokoto State, Nigeria},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {1},
      pages = {475-484},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719532.pdf},
      abstract = {Aquaculture productivity in earthen pond systems is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, particularly water quality, yet limited information exists on the combined effects of multiple environmental factors on fish health and productivity in northwestern Nigeria. This study investigated the environmental drivers influencing fish health and productivity in earthen pond aquaculture systems in Sokoto State, Nigeria, using multivariate statistical techniques. A field-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected earthen ponds, where water samples were collected and analyzed for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia (NH₃), nitrite (NO₂⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) following standard laboratory procedures. Fish productivity indicators, including survival rate, growth performance, disease incidence, and mortality rate, were also assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) at a 5% level of significance. The regression model was statistically significant (R² = 0.74, p < 0.001), indicating that physicochemical water quality parameters explained 74% of the variation in fish productivity. Dissolved oxygen significantly enhanced fish productivity, whereas elevated temperature, ammonia, nitrite, BOD, and COD exerted significant negative effects. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between dissolved oxygen and fish survival and growth, whereas pollution-related variables exhibited significant negative relationships with productivity indicators. PCA extracted three principal components representing organic pollution, water chemistry balance, and thermal variation, accounting for 86.02% of the total variance. The study concludes that integrated water quality management is essential for enhancing sustainable aquaculture production and improving fish health in tropical earthen pond systems.},
      keywords = {Aquaculture, Earthen ponds, Water quality, Fish productivity.},
      month = {July},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719532}
  }