Effects of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Corporation Effluents on the Abundance and Distribution of Phytoplankton Community along River Rido, Kaduna, Nigeria

A.M Umar,D.M Dauda,M.C Emere,Y Umar

doi:10.54987/jebat.v4i2.628

Abstract

The effects of effluent discharged from Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Corporations (KRPC) on the Phytoplankton species distribution and abundance was studied along river Rido for a period of twelve months from February 2013 to January 2014. A total of Ninety-three (93) species of phytoplankton distributed in five divisions were recorded from four different study stations (A, B, C and D) along the river. Random sequential sampling was employed for selecting a sampling station. Physicochemical parameters were determined in accordance with the standard procedure for wastewater assessment guidelines of American Public Health Association (APHA). Phytoplankton identification was done using appropriate reference materials. The phytoplankton community was dominated by Bacillariophyta9 constituting 78.98% with 41 species, followed by Chlorophyta (6.67%) having 25 species, and then Cyanophyta (6.46%) having 12 species, while 10 species of Dinophyta and 5 species of Euglenophyta constituting 5.42% and 2.49% respectively were observed. The results from the study revealed low density of phytoplankton in station B, while high density of phytoplankton was observed in stations A and D. The physicochemical parameters showed both seasonal and spatial variations. Values of some parameters studied were observed to be above Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) limits at station B. Thus, effluent from KRPC is a source of contamination of water quality and adversely affects phytoplankton community along river Rido. Therefore, effluent retention facility should be established for long term treatment of effluent before discharge into the river

Highlights

The rapid increase in human population and urbanization causes various freshwater habitats were exposed to anthropogenic distresses leading to aquatic eutrophication[1]
River Rido has its origin from Kujama and stretched about 16km, passes through many communities and runs behind the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Corporation and eventually empties into River Kaduna
Physico-chemical parameters in river Rido Table 1 shows the mean values of physico-chemical parameters at stations A, B, C and D in river Rido

Summary

Introduction

The rapid increase in human population and urbanization causes various freshwater habitats were exposed to anthropogenic distresses leading to aquatic eutrophication[1]. Plankton composition is a vital tool to assess the ecological reliability of aquatic habitats for fish growth and productivity [2]. The freefloating microscopic plants known as Phytoplankton make up the photoautotrophic component of the plankton community and form the major primary producer of organic carbon in the pelagic zone of the seas and of inland waters [3]. They are the base of the food chain in open water bodies and provide food for organisms that are higher in the trophic levels [4,5]. The phytoplankton population of freshwater response to parameters like temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and nutrient concentration of the medium and these parameters are influence by the inflow of effluents, sewage and decomposition of waste materials [9]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion