Okpoka
Creek in the Niger Delta’s Upper Bonny Estuary is a tidal creek that receives
organic anthropogenic effluents from its surroundings. The study looked into
the impact of low and high tides on phytoplankton species structure, diversity,
abundance, and distribution. From May 2004 to April 2006, surface water and
phytoplankton samples were collected monthly from ten stations at both tides
using standard methods. Microscopically, phytoplankton was found. Normal
indices were used to measure species diversity. Analysis of variance, Duncan
multiple range, and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the results.
Phosphate and ammonia levels in natural water bodies surpassed international
acceptable levels of 0.10 mg/L, suggesting a high nutrient status, organic matter,
and possible contaminants. A total of 158 phytoplankton species were
discovered. The phytoplankton was dominated by diatoms (62.9 percent ). Diatom
diversity indices were 1.50.03 (Margalef) and 0.80.01 respectively (Shannon).
Pollution-indicator species such as Navicula microcephala, Nitzschia sigma,
Synedra ulna (diatoms), Cladophora glomerata (green alga), Euglena acus
(euglenoid), Anabeana spiroides (blue-green alga), Ceratium furca
(dinoflagellate), and Cladophora glomerata (green alga To - the inflow of
contaminants from the Bonny Estuary into this Creek caused by tidal impact,
environmental monitoring on the Upper Bonny Estuary is recommended.
Author (s) Details
Prof. O. A. Bubu-Davies
Department of Fisheries and
Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B.
5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Professor
O. A. Ugwumba
Hydrobiology and Fisheries Unit, Department of
Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 900001, Nigeria.
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Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/RRAB-V5/issue/view/36
