Pages: (1-15 )
Abstract
An investigation into the use of phytoplankton species as bio-diagonistic tools and in relation to associated water quality conditions were carried out from October, 2004 to September, 2006 for the Iyagbe lagoon in South-western Nigeria. Water chemistry conditions ranged from fresh, through brackish to sea situations. Other water chemical parameters showed marked variations and trends. For instance salinity ranged from 1.06 – 35.1‰. The phytoplankton spectrum (76 species) was represented by six divisions namely Bacillariophyta (diatoms, 38 taxa), Cyanophyta (blue-green algae, 18 taxa), Chlorophyta (green algae, 10 taxa), Euglenophyta (euglenoid, 4 taxa), Pyrrophyta (dinoflagellate, 3 taxa) and Chrysophyta (chrysophytes, 2 taxa). Diatoms formed the dominant group and represented a wider array of conditions than any other group. Water quality characteristics reflected notably by the phytoplankton crop in this study include levels for salinity, pH, cations, depth, nutrients and pollution. Further exactitudes on the bio-diagnostic characteristics of specific organisms are detailed within.
Keywords: Water chemistry, creek, lagoon, Iyagbe, algae, pollution, mangrove.,