Phytoplankton population in relation to physicochemical parameters of Gwaigwaye Reservoir Katsina State, Nigeria

N Lawal,A.M Aminu,M Usman,T.S Kuiwa,M.I Nafiu

doi:10.4314/jasem.v24i1.10

Abstract

The study on phytoplankton population in relation to physicochemical parameters of Gwaigwaye reservoir, Katsina state was carried out from May 2013 to April 2014to establish physical, chemical, and biological parameters (Phytoplankton) of Gwaigwaye reservoir. Four sampling stations were chosen; the physicochemical andbiological parameters were determined using standard methods and procedures. The result revealed that; Water temperature (25.02 ± 0.170C), pH (7.54 ± 0.03), Alkalinity (3.69±0.09), Conductivity (129.43 ± 5.15μЅ/cm), Total Dissolved Solids (50.54 ± 0.57mg/L) Nitrate-nitrogen (0.21 ± 0.04mg/L), Water hardness (134.44 ± 3.06mg/LCaCO3), Dissolved Oxygen (3.98 ± 0.10mg/L), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (2.53 ± 0.08mg/L), Phosphate-phosphorus (0.19 ± 0.02mg/L), Chloride (5.09 ± 0.15mg/L), Sulphor-sulphate (0.21± 0.01) and Calcium (2.97±0.06mg/L) varied with months and seasons. Analysis of variance indicated significant difference between seasons (P < 0.05); but no significant difference in phytoplankton distribution and abundance among the four stations (P>0.05). The result indicated phytoplankton percentage composition as; Chlorophyta (57.66%), Bacillariophyta (25.70%), Cyanophyta (14.73%), and Dinophyta (1.91%). Water quality of the reservoir is influenced by anthropogenic activities, the reservoir water is suitable for irrigational and domestic purposes from the results of most of the physicochemical and biological parameters obtained. Hence, there is need for an effective anthropogenic inputs control programme in the reservoir.Keywords: Gwaigwaye; Physicochemical; Phytoplankton; Reservoir

Highlights

Reservoirs are very large natural or artificial lakes that provide habitat and food for many species of fish and wildlife (Atobatele and Ugwumba, 2008)
The results of the analysis carried out on the water and phytoplankton samples collected from gwaigwaye reservoir showed variations in the physicochemical parameters and different abundance of the phytoplanktons
Dinophyta has the least abundance with total of 23 which represents 3.58% of the percentage composition of Phytoplankton.In general, green (Chlorophyta) algae have higher abundance over other kinds of algae and revealed positive correlation with dissolved oxygen, which indicated the productivity of the reservoir especially during wet season (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Reservoirs are very large natural or artificial lakes that provide habitat and food for many species of fish and wildlife (Atobatele and Ugwumba, 2008). They are constructed for domestic use where large natural lakes are sparse and unsuitable for human exploitation, enhancement of fisheries and improvement of water transport. Freshwater ecosystems have been used for the investigation of factors controlling the abundance and distribution of aquatic organisms (Esenowo and Ugwumba, 2010). Eventually result in disappearance of some species of organisms or its reproduction (Edward and Ugwumba, 2010).This paper aim to investigate the phytoplankton population in relation to physicochemical parameters of gwaigwaye reservoir, katsina state. The objectives of this paper are to determine the type of phytoplankton abundance and percentage in Gwaigwaye reservoir and to determine the monthly and seasonal variations in the physicochemical parameters of gwaigwaye reservoir and

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion