Studies on Diel Oxygen Fluctuation in a Tidal Brackish Water Farm at Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria

P.U Uzukwu,F.O Nwadukwe,N.A Jamabo

doi:10.19026/crjbs.5.5434

Abstract

This study provides baseline data on diel oxygen fluctuation in a tidal brackish water environment. Investigation on diel Dissolved Oxygen (DO) fluctuation was carried out in a tidal brackish water habitat at two-hourly intervals in three ponds (6, 8 and 9). The highest mean dissolved oxygen values of 6.80, 7.00 and 3.90mg/1 for ponds 6, 8 and 9 respectively were recorded during the afternoon in the dry season. On the other hand, the lowest dissolved oxygen levels of 1.98, 3.00 and 0.20mg/1 for ponds, 6, 8 and 9 respectively were recorded during periods of heavy influx of suspended clay and silt particles in the peak of the rainy season. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that DO values recorded during peak dry season were significantly higher (p≤0.05) than those of the rainy season.

Highlights

Nigeria has approximately 853 km coastline bordering the Gulf of Guinear, with over 1.5 million ha of unused coastal swamps
Due to growing interest in commercial fish farming in Nigeria and the need to sustain and further promote its development, information on diel oxygen fluctuation of tidal fish farms is important for effective prediction of early morning Dissolved Oxygen (DO) deficiency in fish ponds (Boyd et al, 1978)
Diel oxygen fluctuation has been successfully used in predicting early morning dissolved oxygen concentration in fish ponds (Boyd et al, 1978)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria has approximately 853 km coastline bordering the Gulf of Guinear, with over 1.5 million ha of unused coastal swamps. Due to growing interest in commercial fish farming in Nigeria and the need to sustain and further promote its development, information on diel oxygen fluctuation of tidal fish farms is important for effective prediction of early morning Dissolved Oxygen (DO) deficiency in fish ponds (Boyd et al, 1978). This is because optimum level of DO is crucial for profitable cultivation of fish, whether phytoplankton feeders or carnivorous species (Boyd, 1979; Boyd and Lichtkoppler, 1979). This study examined diel oxygen fluctuation in a tidal brackish water fish farm in Lagos to provide baseline data for similar studies elsewhere

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION