Abstract
The composition of periphyton community on water hyacinth was investigated at Ejirin, part of Epe Lagoon, in relation to environmental characteristics from December 2012 to May 2013. A total of 14,536 individuals of 104 species belonging to five divisions were identified, with Bacillariophyta (82.69%), Cyanobacteria (10.43%), Chlorophyta (5.63%), and Euglenophyta (1.15%). The total species abundance observed showed a strong correlation with rainfall (r = 0.745) and strongly significant correlation with TDS (r=0.836*;P >0.05). Biochemical oxygen demand value remained (BOD)≤4.8 mg/L while Shannon-Wiener index value remained (Hs)≤ 1.47. The presence of the following organisms could be used as an indicator of environmentally stressed aquatic ecosystem: euglenoids, blue green algae,Nitzschia palea,Surirellasp.,Pinnulariasp.,Gomphonema parvulum,Mougeotiasp.,Spirogyrasp.,Trachelomonas affinis(Lemm.), andT. ensifera Daday; T. gibberosaPlayf. andPhormidium articulatum;Lyngbya intermedia;Cymbella ventricosa;Eunotia arcus;Surirella linearisandClosterium parvulumNag.
Highlights
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was introduced into the Nigerian coastal waters in September 1984 from Porto Novo Creek (Benin Republic) and has continued to flourish
Schlorin [1] stated that water hyacinth is a sensitive indicator of environmental status of certain tropical waters
Surface water temperatures were measured in situ using a mercury-in-glass thermometer and recorded to the nearest 0.1∘C
Summary
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was introduced into the Nigerian coastal waters in September 1984 from Porto Novo Creek (Benin Republic) and has continued to flourish. According to Egborge [2], water hyacinth harbours a variety of organisms which include algae, rotifers, nematodes, annelids, molluscs, hydracerids, cladocerans, copepod, conchostracans, isopod, amphipods, crabs, and fishes. Organisms such as snails and mayflies affect the periphyton species assemblage, biomass, and productivity [3]. As applied to this work, Wetzel [8] defined periphyton as the micro“floral” community living attached to the substrate inside water This microfloral community plays an important role in water bodies, by being important primary producers [9, 10] and serving as an energy source for higher trophic level [11], and by affecting the nutrient turnover [12] and the transfer of nutrients between the benthic and the pelagic zone [13]. The people there are mainly artisanal fishermen, sand miners, and petty traders
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