Abstract
This study investigated the potential of nutrients input into Ekulu river to cause unwanted growth of algae that could adversely affect the aquatic ecosystem. The concentrations of nitrogen, silicon and phosphorus in the water column of Ekulu river were determined in addition to determining the pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total organic carbon, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand following standard procedure by APHA (1998). The results show that there was increase in concentration of phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon in the rainy season. The N/P ratios varied from 6.2-15.7 indicating the possibility of nitrogen being the limiting nutrient as ratio values are less than the optimum value of 16. The Si/N ratio for both dry and wet seasons varied from 2.7- 9.1 indicating that Si input into the river is adequate and favourable to the growth and development of diatoms rather than non-diatom phytoplankton species such as dinoflagellates. Consequently, there is no significant risk of eutrophication at the present level of nutrients and silicon in Ekulu river. Keywords : Nutrients; River; Eutrophication; Diatoms; Phtoplankton. DOI : 10.7176/JEES/9-1-09
Highlights
Anthropogenic activities such as agricultural production via the use of intensive inorganic fertilizers to improve crop yield, wastewater discharge from domestic and industry sources have led to increased input of nitrogen and phosphorus into lotic systems (Pizarroa, 2010)
It has been known for a very long time that nutrient enrichment alone may not be enough to cause eutrophication, rather it is the changes that result to a shift from the nutrient stoichiometry that may result to eutrophication (Garnier et al, 2010)
4.Conclusion The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon were determined in some sections of Ekulu river namely, Onyeama, Damija and The Hotel in order to establish the potential for eutrophication
Summary
Anthropogenic activities such as agricultural production via the use of intensive inorganic fertilizers to improve crop yield, wastewater discharge from domestic and industry sources have led to increased input of nitrogen and phosphorus into lotic systems (Pizarroa, 2010). These elements, nitrogen and phosphorus in addition to silicon are essential to marine ecosystem organismns (Ramesh et al, 2015). If there is enrichment into the lotic systems that is in the proportion described by Redfield et al (1963), there would not be eutrophication problems Under this condition, the production of new planktons is largely the production of diatomaceous species while nonsiliceous algae are only produced to the extent of regeneration. Www.iiste.org aimed at revealing whether or not the nutrient input to Ekulu river is such that eutrophication is a source of concern
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
