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Abstract
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Article Information:
Spatio-temporal Distribuution, Abundance and Species Composition of Zooplankton of Woji-okpoka Creek, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Davies, Onome Augustina
Corresponding Author: Davies Onome
Submitted: 2009 May,02
Accepted: 2009 June, 02
Published: |
Abstract:
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Woji-Okpoka Creek is situated in a strategic location in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, N igeria and it
receives domestic and industrial wastes from the Trans-amadi industrial Layout, main Port Harcourt abattoir
and riverine communities. There is little information on the zooplankton of this creek. The study investigated
species composition, diversity, abundance and distribution of zooplankton as well as some physico-chemical
parameters that affect this organism. Zooplankton and surface water samples were collected monthly from May
2004 – April 2006 at low and high tides from ten stations according to APHA methods. These were analysed
for temperature, turbidity, transparency, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD),
pH and nutrients. Zooplankton was identified microscopically. Species diversity was calculated using standard
indices. Data was analysed using analysis of variance, Duncan multiple range and descriptive statistics.
Zooplankton demonstrated significant temporal variation (P<0.05). A total of 85 species dominated by
copepods (43.4%) were identified. Diversity indices for copepods were: 1.0±0.03 (Margalef) and 0.5±0.02
(Shannon). Water temperature 28.6±0.06cC, turbidity 3.6±0.32 NTU and transparency 0.7±0.01m showed
significant temporal variations (P<0.05). Water chemical parameters were: salinity, 14.4±4.67‰; DO,
5.0±0.10mg/l; BOD, 3.3±0.09mg/l and alkalinity, 84.1±1.41mg/l. Phosphate and ammonia exceeded FEPA and
USEPA acceptable levels for natural aquatic bodies. Phosphate demonstrated significant spatial variation
(P<0.05). The presence of dominant copepods indicates an environment under stress. The domestic and
industrial effluents should be recycled or and treated instead of being discharged into this creek.
Key words: Copepods, diversity indices, effluents discharges, physico-chemical parameters, stress, zooplankton population,
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Cite this Reference:
Davies, Onome Augustina, . Spatio-temporal Distribuution, Abundance and Species Composition of Zooplankton of Woji-okpoka Creek, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, (2): Page No: 14-34.
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ISSN (Online): 2040-7467
ISSN (Print): 2040-7459 |
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