EFFECT OF ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON THE PHYTOPLANKTON COMMUNITY OF ABA RIVER, ABA, ABIA STATE

Abstract

In four (4) months, the effect of anthropogenic activities on the phytoplankton community structure and abundance of the Aba River was investigated. Temperature was 26.751.26oC– 27.751.26oC, pH 6.70.58 – 6.90.89, salinity 0.110.08‰ – 0.190.18‰, turbidity 0.490.32NTU– 1.351.33NTU, nitrate 0.280.11mg/l –0.590.30mg/l and phosphate 0.050.01mg/l– 0.090.06mg/l. Ten species belonging to three phytoplankton groups were discovered through their biological characteristics. Cyanobacteria was the most common family, accounting for 1226 cells per liter, or 49 percent of total phytoplankton, followed by Chlorophyceae (894 cells per liter, or 35.7 percent), and Xanthophyceae (381 cells per liter, or 15.2 percent). The highest levels of phytoplankton family recorded in all of the months studied were the Cyanobacteria. Stations 1,2, and 3 located few meters from an abattoir and receives effluent from nearby industries, bore the highest phytoplankton population relative to other stations. During September, the Shannon-Weiner index/station/month was 0.983 in station 5. In July, the minimum per station/month was 0.421, which was also recorded at station 5. The Megalef richness index was between 1.70 to 2.25. While the evenness index (E) varied between 0.441 to 0.983. As a result, it was established that anthropogenic activities and nutrient input into the water body altered the phytoplankton community of the Aba River's species composition, distribution, and abundance.