Evaluation of Fungal Diversity in Water and Sediment, AgbaNdele Segment, Sombriero River, Rivers State

Abstract

This study was carried out between September and December, 2022 in Sombriero river to assess the water and sediment quality using fungal load and diversity. Water and sediment samples collected were analysed in the laboratory for fungi using standard method of APHA and the obtained data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that Total fungi in water (Tfw) and sediment (TFs) ranged from 1.0x101 to 1.4x102cfu/ml and 1.0x101 to 1.7x102cfu/g with the overall mean values of 114.37±35.397 cfu/ml and 168.44±358.999 cfu/g respectively. Spatial mean values of TFw and TFs varies significantly at p<0.05 with station 3 higher than all other stations. TFw and TFs values exhibited non-seasonality and seasonality respectively at p<0.05. The total of 5 and 6 fungal species observed in the water and sediment samples included Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oligospora, Pennicilium species, Mucoccus caris and Micrococcus caris with Fusarium solani absent in water. The values of diversity indices varied spatially with Simpson’s dominance index (D) of fungi in water ranging between 0.2503 and 0.6428 while that of sediment ranged from 0.255 to 0.609. Based on the fungal load, diversity index and some pathogenic species the water is therefore under stress/threat. There is need to regulate the anthropogenic activities in the area to avoid further discharge of wastes capable of causing further pollution of the area.