Water Quality and Plankton of Southeastern Nigeria River

Authors

Emeka Donald Anyanwu, Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, NigeriaFollow
Egor Katkov, Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, CanadaFollow
Udeme Effiong Jonah, Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, NigeriaFollow
Amarachuku Ezinne Oji, Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, NigeriaFollow
Immaculate Chiamaka Enwereuzo, Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, NigeriaFollow

Abstract

The plankton diversity of large and urban rivers has been extensively studied in Nigeria while small rural rivers that harbour rich aquatic biota receive little attention. The composition, abundance, and distribution of plankton of a rural river were assessed in relation to some physicochemical parameters. The study was carried out between May and October 2023 in 3 stations using standard methods. The physicochemical results were: temperature (25.2-27.0^oC), flow velocity (0.15-0.46 m/s), transparency (14.0-78.5cm), depth (51.0-105.0cm), pH (5.6-7.8), electrical conductivity (66.0-98.0 µS/cm), total dissolved solids (33.0-49.0 mg/l), turbidity (0.1-1.7 NTU), dissolved oxygen (3.2-6.4 mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (1.0-2.7 mg/l), phosphate (0.01-0.04 mg/L) and nitrate (0.02-0.8 mg/1). All the parameters were within their respective acceptable limits for sustenance of aquatic life except some pH and dissolved oxygen values. We recorded 26 species of phytoplankton with abundance of 1557 individuals/l and 37 species of zooplankton with abundance of 2027 individual/l. The plankton assemblage was rich and dominated by Chlorophyceae (Arthrodesmus incus) and Rotifera (Keratella tropica) that are characteristic of oligotrophic conditions. The biodiversity indices agreed with the condition of the river and aquatic biota. It can be concluded that the composition, abundance, and distribution of the plankton in Ahi River, Umuahia was influenced by the physicochemical conditions, which in turn was influenced by season.

Article History

Received: Dec 25, 2024; Accepted: Sep 25, 2025; Published: Dec 30, 2025

Recommended Citation

Anyanwu, E. D., Katkov, E., Jonah, U. E., Oji, A. E., & Enwereuzo, I. C. (2025). Water Quality and Plankton of Southeastern Nigeria River, Journal of Bioresource Management, 12 (4).