ABSTRACT
Water quality, composition, abundance and distribution of plankton community in Obodu stream were assessed. The stream were divided into three stations for samplings, samples were collected from August 2019-July 2020 to reflect spatial and temporal dynamic water and plankton sample were collected rapidly in all the stations. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test significant difference among physico-chemical parameters within and between the stations at 0.05 level of significance while spearman correlation method was used to described the relationship between plankton abundance and phsico-chemical parameter. A total of (16) sixteen physic-chemical parameters were examined and had the following results: water temperature value ranged from 26.80oc to 27.30oc conductivity from 63µS/cm to 94µs/cm Ph from 4.9 to 6.9. total Dissolved solids and Dissolved Oxygen ranged from 37.0mg/1 to 94.1mg/m and 3.1/mg/1 to 6.7 mg/1. Total suspended solid ranged from 1.1 mg/1 to 4.2 mg/1, phosphate and Nitrate ranged from 0.3mg/1 to 3.1mg/1 and 0.1mg/1 to 2.2mg/1. The parameters showed clear seasoned variation among all the stations. There was no significant difference in all the parameters except zinc and Iron which showed similar trend. During the study, a total of (16) species of phytoplankton belonging to four (4) taxanomic group were recorded. The group chrysophyta was represented one species. Consisting of 6.25% composition by species, followed by xanthophyta represented by two species consisting of 12.5% species composition. Chlorophyta represented by five species (31.3%), and eight spices of cyanophyta (50%). While zooplankton fauna of Obohu stream comprised (4) phyla with a relative abundance of 3.74% across the stations were sampled. Copepods dominated with ten (10) species while protozoa were represented by one five families, copepods, dominated each station followed by cladocerans, rotifers, protozoa in this order. The taxa richness, diversity, evenness and dominance index showed that station 1 and 3 recorded high taxa richness (Margalef index) and diversity index values were low in station 2. Similarly, station 1 and 3 recorded high values of evenness (Simpson’s dominance index) values was high in station 2 compared to other two stations examined. It was recommended that human activities such as bathing and washing of clothes should not be carried out in the stream.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables x
List of Figures xi
List of Plates xii
Abstract xiii
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background
of the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 3
1.2 Justification 3
1.4 Aims and Objectives 4
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 5
2.1 Physico-Chemical Parameters 5
2.2 Plankton 7
2.2.1 Developmental stage 8
2.3 Phytoplankton 8
2.3.1 Cyanophyta 8
2.3.2 Chrysophyta 9
2.3.3 Euglenophyta 9
2.3.4 Pyrrophyta 9
2.3.5 Chlorophyta 10
2.4 Zooplankton 10
2.4.1
Rotifera 11
2.4.2
Copepoda 11
2.4.3 Cladocera 12
2.5 Plankton Abundance and Distribution 12
CHAPTER
3: MATERIALS AND METHODS 16
3.1 The Study Area 16
3.2 Sampling Stations 18
3.3 Water Sampling 18
3.3.1 Water quality parameters 19
3.3.2 Temperature 19
3.3.3 Velocity 19
3.3.4 Electrical
conductivity 19
3.3.5 Total
dissolved solids (filterable solids) 19
3.3.6 Ph 20
3.3.7 Dissolved oxygen 20
3.3.8 Biochemical
oxygen demand (BOD5) 21
3.3.9 Phosphate-phosphorus 21
3.3.10 Nitrate-nitrogen 22
3.3.11 Calcium 22
3.3.12 Magnesium 23
3.3.13 Heavy metal 23
3.4 Plankton
Sampling 24
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS 26
4.1 Physicochemical
Parameters 26
4.1.1 Water
temperature 26
4.1.2 Ph 26
4.1.3 Electrical
conductivity 30
4.1.4 Total
dissolved solids 30
4.1.5 Total
suspended solid (TSS) 33
4.1.6 Dissolved
oxygen (DO). 33
4.1.7 Biochemical
dissolved oxygen (BOD) 36
4.1.8 Turbidity 36
4.1.9 Phosphate 39
4.1.10 Nitrate 39
4.1.11 Calcium 42
4.1.12 Magnesium 42
4.1.13 Iron 45
4.1.14 Zinc 45
4.1.15 Copper 48
4.1.16 Manganese 48
4.2 Spatial Phytoplankton
Composition, Abundance and Distribution 51
4.3
Spatial Community Structure for
Phytoplankton 53
4.4 Temporal Phytoplankton Composition,
Abundance and Distribution 55
4.5 Temporal
Community Structure for Phytoplankton 57
4.6 Spatial Zooplankton Composition, Abundance
and Distribution 59
4.7
Spatial Community Structure for
Zooplankton 61
4.8
Temporal Zooplankton Composition,
Abundance and Distribution 63
4.9 Temporal Community Structure for
Zooplankton 64
4.9.1 Result
of correlation analysis between plankton abundance
and physicochemical parameters 64
4.10 Discussion
of Result 66
CHAPTER
5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 77
5.1 Conclusion 77
5.2 Recommendation 78
References
Appendices
LIST
OF TABLES
4.1: Summary
of physicochemical parameters measured at the stations of 27
Obohu stream, Umuahia (with range in
parenthesis)
4.2: Spatial
phytoplankton composition, abundance and distribution 52
4.3: Spatial community structure for phytoplankton 54
4.4: Temporal
phytoplankton composition, abundance and distribution 56
4.5: Temporal
community structure for phytoplankton 58
4.6: Spatial zooplankton composition, abundance
and distribution 60
4.7: Spatial community structure for zooplankton 62
LIST OF FIGURES
3.1: Map of Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria showing
the sampling station of
Obohu
stream 17
4.1: Spatial
and temporal variations in water temperature at the study stations
in Obohu stream,
Umuahia. 28
4.2: Temporal
variation in pH at the study station in Obohu stream 29
4.3: Spatial
and temporal variations in electrical conductivity at the study
stations
in Obohu stream 31
4.4: Spatial
and temporal variations in total dissolved solid at the study
stations in Obohu stream. 32
4.5: Spatial
and temporal variations in total suspended solid at the study
stations
in Obohu stream. 34
4.6: Spatial
and temporal variation in dissolved oxygen at study stations in
Obohu
stream 35
4.7: Spatial
and temporal variation in biochemical oxygen demand at study
stations
in Obohu stream 37
4.8: Spatial and temporal variation in turbidity at study stations in
Obohu
stream 38
4.9:
Spatial and Temporal variation in
Phosphate at the study stations in
Obohu stream 40
4.10: Spatial
and temporal variation in Nitrate at the study stations in
Obohu stream 41
4.11: Spatial
and temporal variations in calcium at the study stations of
Obohu stream, Umuahia, Abia State. 43
4.12:
Spatial and temporal variation in
magnesium at the study stations of
Obohu
Stream, Umuahia, Abia State. 44
4.13: Spatial
and temporal variation in Iron at the study stations of
Obohu
Stream, Umuahia, Abia State. 46
4.14: Spatial
and temporal variation in zinc at the study stations of
Obohu stream,
Umuahia, Abia State. 47
4.15: Spatial
and temporal variation in copper at the study stations of
Obohu stream,
Umuahia, Abia State. 49
4.16:
Spatial and temporal variation in
manganese at the study stations
of
Obohu stream, Umuahia, Abia State. 50
LIST
OF PLATES
1: Rotifera (Brachionus falcatus, Brachionus calyciflorus,
Platyiasquadricornis and Trichoceraierni) 89
2:
Cladocera (Diaphansoma brachyrum, Microcyclops rubellus,
Moinami crura) 90
3: Cyanophyta (Microcystiswesen bergiiand
Coelosphaeriumn
aegeliana) 91
4: Chlorophyta
(Planktosphaeria gelatinosa, Pediastrum simplex and
Pediastrum+duplex) 91
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
Water is the most vital valuable natural
resources to the existence of any form of life (Olajuyigbe and Fasakin, 2010), the ubiquity
of water in biota as the fulcrum of bio chemical metabolism rests on its unique
physiochemical properties (Adeyemo et al., 2008). Uses
of water include agricultural, domestic, industrial, recreational activities.
The implications that such water becomes hazardous to aquatic plants and
animals, as well as unfit for human consumption (Olayinka et al., 2013). Water contamination is a serious global issue that
necessitates constant modification and elevation of water resource policies at
all levels (International down to individual aquifers and wells). Most surface
waters used for laundry, bathing, swimming, food cleaning, irrigation, and, in
many cases, drinking have been highly polluted by human activity (Ubani et al.,2014) Water from these sources is
contaminated with home, agricultural, and industrial pollutants, and is prone
to cause waterborne illnesses (Ojekunle, 2012; Ayeni, 2014).
Water
quality assessment entails the examination of physicochemical, biological, and
microbiological factors, as well as consideration of the ecosystem's abiotic
and biotic condition (Rajagopal et al., 2011).
Aquatic organisms require a healthy environment as well as sufficient nutrients
to survive and flourish. Neha, (2013).
The
government's increased use of fertilizers in agriculture could result in a
continued growth in metal pollution in fresh water due to water run-off Adefemi
and Awokumi (2010). Plankton are microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and animals
(zooplankton) that can't swim against the stream's strong currents (Sheean and
Sonya, 2009). Plankton has lately been employed as a bio-indicator to evaluate
aquatic ecosystems and water quality (Beaugrand et al.2000; Li et al., 2000).
Plankton communities serve as the
foundation for food chains that support commercial fisheries, according to
Townsend et al., (2000) and Conde et al., (2007). An ecosystem's
phytoplankton is critical to its normal operation. They are particularly sensitive
to imposed changes in the environment,
despite the fact that they are the producers (Eletta et
al., 2005; Khattak et al., 2005).
Phytoplankton
are plants (microsophic), drifting are the mercy of water current (Anene,
2003). They constitute the primary producers of aquatic ecosystems.
Phytoplankton is the cornerstone of the aquatic organisms, providing a nutritious base for
zooplankton, which then feeds other invertebrates, shellfish, and finfish
(Emmanuel and Onyema, 2007). The abundance of plankton in any water body
determines its productivity. (Davies et
al., 2009).Freshwater phytoplankton, such as green algae, blue green algae,
diatoms, and desmids, are significant members of the aquatic flora. Davies et
al. (Davies et al., 2009).
Phytoplankton communities have been reported to be substantial producers of
organic carbon in big rivers, a food supply for planktonic consumers, and the
predominant oxygen source in low-gradient rivers. They are important in the aquatic ecology, providing
essential services such as carbon fixation and oxygen synthesis (Fathi et al., 2001). They significantly contribute to the dynamic
and succession of zooplankton in aquatic ecosystem without the diversity of
abundance of aquatic life will be impossible (Suzie, 2015).
Zooplankton
is a better bio-indicator for detecting anthropogenic pollution dispersal
patterns and comprehending the incorporation and mobility of waste nitrogen in
pelagic and benthic food chains (Xu and Zhang, 2012). They serve as
bioindicators because they
responsed to changes in the environment.
Zooplankton are important link in the transformation of energy from
producers to consumers (Sharma et al.,
2010). They are microscopic crustaceans that are important components food chain; as primary consumers, they
respond to changes in the
environment. Thus, they can be used to
assess the conditions in aquatic ecosystems (Hanazato et al., 2001, Brito et al.,
2011, Ishaq and Khan, 2013, Primo et al.,
2015). Zooplankton serves as an important organisms occurred abundantly in
all types of aquatic habitats and have a vital role in energy transfer in
aquatic ecosystems Altaff (2004). Zooplankton has short life cycle but due to
their competence to respond quickly to environmental changes, they easily
indicate the mass of water features in which they are found. Zooplanktonic organisms are said to be
bio-indicators of water quality and degree of pollution because they are
strongly influenced by environmental modification and retort rapidly to
alternations in their locality (Dorak, 2013).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Aquatic
environments are increasingly subjected to pollution associated with
urbanization, industrialization, population growth and other anthropogenic
activities (Amah-Jerry et al., 2017; Anyanwu et al., 2019). Increase in human population, increased demand for
food, land conversion and the use of fertilizers and pesticides have added
various harmful chemicals to the water bodies including Obohu stream. These
discharges are capable of altering plankton community.
1.3 JUSTIFICATION
In
Nigeria, several researches have been carried out on plankton of fresh water
with findings that variations in physical and chemical factors exert effect on
the number, abundance and distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton present
in aquatic system resulting changes of the total number of species or organisms
in fresh water bodies (Anyanwu et al.,
2013; Arimoro et al., 2018; Odulate et al., 2018; Jonah et al., 2019). At present,
there is no such record on the composition, distribution and abundance of
plankton in Obohu stream, Umuawa Alaocha, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria,
although there are several activities such as farming, washing, bathing being
carried out near the stream. These
activities might impact significantly on the physiochemical characteristic of
the stream, which might directly or indirectly have impact on phytoplankton and
zooplankton, composition, distribution and abundance. Thus the health of the water might be
doubtful since these activities cause decrease in water quality and affect the
biotic organisms in the water. Thus,
there was need to evaluate the impact on water body to check whether
composition, abundance and distribution of plankton community abundance and
distribution are in order. Water is of
great importance for health and the villagers drink the stream water, use it
for farming activities and other domestic purpose.
1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The
purpose of this study is to assess water quality and plankton community in
Obohu stream, Umuawa Alaocha Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria, in relation to
physic-chemical parameters. The particular goals are to determine some
characteristics of Obohu stream physico-chemical parameter and compare them to
standards.
·
To determine the abundance, composition and distribution
of plankton communities Phytoplankton and Zooplankton) in Obohu stream.
·
To determine spatial and temporal variations of plankton
communities (Phytoplankton and Zooplankton) in Obohu stream.
·
To relate the abundance, composition and distribution of
plankton communities (Phytoplankton and Zooplankton) to the physico-chemical
parameter of Obohu stream.
·
To determine the possible human impacts on the plankton communities
and physico-chemical parameter of Obohu stream.
Click “DOWNLOAD NOW” below to get the complete Projects
FOR QUICK HELP CHAT WITH US NOW!
+(234) 0814 780 1594
Login To Comment