Plankton and Microbenthos Communities of Freshwater Habitats in Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria
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Date
2015
Authors
Lawal, M. O.
Adesalu, T.A.
Kunrunmi, O.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Library and Publications Committee, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Abstract
Three different rivers the Okpo, Idebu and parts of the Niger River were investigated for both micro and macro biota. The pH of the water showed neutral (7.07) water body with salinity of 0.03% and high dissolved oxygen content (5.1 mg/l). In the dry season, sulphate, Phosphate-phosphorus and Nitrate-nitrogen recorded 3.0, 0.003 and 0.138 mg/l respectively while 2.0, 0.005 and 0.210 mg/l were recorded in the wet season. The divisions, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta were recorded with pennate diatoms dominating the phytoplankton spectrum. The phyla; Cladophora, Copepoda and Rotifera represented the zooplankton with rotifers being the frequently encountered group. The macrobenthos recorded were Mollusca, Insecta, Hirudinea, Crustacea and Oligochaeta. High species in terms of
number were recorded in wet season; this may be a pointer to environmental conditions such as rainfall and nutrients as major factors controlling the plankton abundance. Community structure analysis showed a relatively stressed environment.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES
Citation
Adesalu, T.A., Kunrunmi, O.A. and Lawal, M.O. (2015). Plankton and Microbenthos Communities of Freshwater Habitats in Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria. Centrepoint Journal, 21(1), 35-53.