Ecological Studies of Phytoplankton Distribution and Abundance in River Shasha, Southwestern Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VII, July 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Ecological Studies of Phytoplankton Distribution and Abundance in River Shasha, Southwestern Nigeria

Adesakin, T.A.*, Adedeji, A. A. Oyewale, A.T., Oni, T.M., Oyebamiji, S.P. and Olowogboyega, V.T.

Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding Author

Abstract:- This study was undertaken to investigate the phytoplankton species composition, distribution, abundance and diversity in River Shasha, Ife North, Southwest Nigeria. The river was studies between February 2006 and February 2008 with the aim to captured 10 months duration. A total number of 121 species belonging to 13 taxonomic groups were recorded during the study and bacillariophyta was represented by 53 species and contributing 43.80% of the total phytoplankton groups recorded. Followed by chlorophyta with 29 species consisting 23.97%, charophyta and cyanophyta (8 species) both consisting 6.61%, euglenophyta (6 species) consisting 4.96%, ochrophyta (5 species) consisting 4.13%, chrysophyta and cryptophyta (3 species) both contributing 2.48%, dinophyta (2 species) consisting 1.65% while coelochaetophyta, haptophyte, rhodophyta and xanthophyta were represented by 1 species each and contributing 0.83%. High phytoplankton abundance and diversity observed in this study could be due to the level of pollution nature through the anthropogenic activities (containing high nutrients) that caused algal bloom. However, the Saprobic coefficient is 1.5 fall within 1.0-1.5 indicating a phase value saprobic water is located in the β-phase that means the water is mesosaprobic still contaminated organic materials in the lightweight polluted. The results are significant for the adequate management, monitoring and to conserved biodiversity of River Shasha.

Keywords: Phytoplankton, saprobic coefficient, pollution, management and biodiversity

I. INTRODUCTION

Freshwater bodies served in various capacity in every development sectors globally like agriculture, industry, transportation, aquaculture, domestic and disposal purposes (Shiddamallayya and Pratima, 2008). Huge loads of waste materials from industries, domestic sewage and agricultural practices find their ways into waterbody, which results into deterioration of the water quality (Reddy and Ventateswarlu 1987). The growing problem of degradation of our aquatic ecosystem through anthropogenic activities introduces into it, has necessitated the monitoring of water quality of various freshwater bodies all over the world to evaluate their production capacity, utility potential and to plan restorative measures (Clausen and Biggs 1998). Aquatic ecosystems are affect by several health stressors that have significantly depletes on biodiversity (Kulshrestha and Sharma 2006).

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