SPATIO-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF ZOOPLANKTON AS IT RELATES TO WATER QUALITY IN MAKERA DRAIN AND RIVER KADUNA LOTIC SYSTEMS, NORTHERN-NIGERIA

Abstract

Surface water Physiochemical characteristics and Zooplankton diversity and abundance of Makera Drain and its point of impact on River Kaduna were determined from January to April 2013. Nine sampling stations were used for the study, Four on Makera drain, four on River Kaduna and one at the point the Makera drain impacts the River Kaduna. pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Sulphate, Chloride and Total Hardness were observed to be significantly higher on sampling stations on the Makera drain (Stations 1 to 4).Anemone larva, Bomolodius spp., Crustacean Nauplius, Discorbis spp., Globigerniabulloides, Leptomedusa spp., Oikopleura spp., Ophiopluteus larvae, Tomopteris spp. Could be used as indicators of highly organically polluted waters, whereas Chlorochlasterpyreniger, Coleoptera, Hyalodiscus spp., Oikopleura spp., Plecoptera Larva, and Veliger larva can be used as indicators of low pollution. High pollution alters the community structure of zooplanktons, increases species Dominance, and reduces species richness, diversity, and abundance. The strict regulation of industrial discharges is highly recommended to mitigate the adverse effects such effluents can have on the environment.

Keywords

• zooplankton
• pollution
• effluents
• water quality