Algal diversity of Adada River, Nigeria. I. Chlorophyta (green algae) and euglenophyta (euglenoids)

Abstract

Adada river is one of the rivers that flow through the major rice producing areas of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State and Omor in Anambra State. It is used for both domestic and agricultural purposes. Commercial water tankers collect water and sell to indigenes and towns around the river, hence the need to investigate the algal biodiversity in other to access its suitability for human consumption using known algal indicators of water quality and add to the pool of data useful for long term trends in floral composition in relation to climatic change. Phycological studies were carried out between 1998 and 2008 by collecting water samples, mud and attached algae from various locations along the course of the river, during both wet and dry seasons. Samples were preserved with Lugol’s iodine and identified using standard texts and information from the internet. Thirty four taxa of Chlorophyta belonging to 13 families with 27 genera and 7 taxa of Euglenophyta belonging to one family with 3 genera were observed and described. Among the Chlorophyta, Mesotaeniaceae and Desmidiaceae had the highest species composition (7), followed by Scenedesmaceae (6). Thirteen potential taste, odour and toxin producing species were encountered. The variation in species composition indicates oligotrophy.