Investigation of the Physico-Chemical Parameters and Plankton Biotopes of the Nta Wogba Creek, Diobu, Port Harcourt

Physicochemical parameters could help to reduce or otherwise contribute to the growth and survival of plankton biotopes in the water bodies. This study investigated the physicochemical parameters and plankton biotopes of Ntawogba creek in Port Harcourt, River state. Water samples were collected from five stations representing upstream and downstream. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, Dissolved oxygen (Do), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Nitrate, and Phosphate were determined under standard laboratory methods. Zooplankton and Phytoplankton abundance were also determined. Concentrations of Electrical Conductivity (Range=860.00µS/cm) and Chemical Oxygen Demand, (Range=31.80mg/L) varied widely, the other parameters had narrow variations. pH, EC and Phosphate ion concentrations varied from 7.06 – 8.27 (7.54±0.23), 395.00 – 1255.00 (722.40±160.47)µS/cm and 0.01 – 0.04 (0.03 ± 0.01)mg/L respectively. Nitrate ion concentrations varied from 0.63 – 5.34 (3.41 ± 0.77) mg/L while Dissolved Oxygen varied from 0.00 – 4.90 (2.92 ± 0.84) mg/L. BOD and COD ranged as follows: 2.80 - 22.70 (14.20 ± 4.21) mg/L and 4.50 – 36.30 (22.72 ± 6.74) mg/L respectively. Phytoplanktons recorded are as follows: Bacilariophytes (291 species), Euglenophytes (68 species) and cyanophyceae (139 species) while zooplanktons identified are protozoans (37 species), copepods (19 species), cladocera (462 species) and rotifers (100 species). This study therefore suggests high pollution impact occasioned by heavy municipal waste discharges and recommends that the government should evolve better solid and liquid waste management policies and practices. The government agencies should enforce all relevant environmental laws, standards and regulations as well as industry operators to treat industrial effluent before disposal into public drain.