Preliminary Study on the Diversity of Plankton Flora and Water Quality of a Tropical Mangrove Estuarine System, Akwa Ibom State, Niger Delta Area, Nigeria

Abstract:

Plankton and water quality of Qua Iboe River Estuary, south-south Nigeria, were studied between November, 2018 and August, 2019. The samples were collected monthly, from five sampling stations across the water body. Standard methods were used in collection and analyses of the water samples. Plankton samples were collected using plankton net. The range values of physico-chemical parameters were: water temperature (26.11-28.43), pH (6.7-8.9), transparency (32.0-99.3cm), electrical conductivity (3472.53-3961.68us/cm), salinity (2.167-4.916ppt), ammonium (10.28-18.96 mg/L), nitrate (4.91-9.15mg/L), sulphate (208.07-363.31mg/L), phosphate (5.13-8.34), alkalinity (48.77-88.44mg/L). Analysis of variance showed significant difference (p<0.05) in salinity, ammonium, nitrate, sulphate and phosphate. A total of 3,320 individuals from 44 taxa, belonging to 5 taxonomic groups were identified. Bacillariophyceae was the highest recorded group, constituting 34.8%, Cyanophyceae (28.3%), Chlorophyceae (21.9%), Chrysophyceae and Dinophyceae (7.8%) each. Higher species was recorded in station 1 and 2, while station 5 had the least. Species Anacystis cyanae was the most dominant species, accounted for 3.74% of total population, followed by Goeocapsa minima and Micrasterias foliacea (3.46%) each. The findings revealed that the water body is polluted owing to anthropogenic activities within the estuary.