Phytoplankton in River Ogun, Nigeria

What is it about?

Phytoplankton are plants (algae) that drift in the water column which cannot be seen with the naked eye but with the aid of a microscope. They are important due to the food and oxygen they provide in the aquatic ecosystem. They are highly dependent on sunlight and nutrients for food production. From their activities, they enhance dissolved oxygen levels in the day and at night utilize dissolved oxygen. In the event of excessive enrichment of a water body with nutrients, phytoplankton form unfavourable blooms which compete with other aquatic organisms such as fish for dissolved oxygen at night. Certain phytoplankton are known to predominate in waters with high levels of nutrients. This study investigated the phytoplankton species composition and abundance of River Ogun, Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria with the bid to assess the overall river water quality.

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Why is it important?

Research has shown that cyanophytes are tolerant of organic pollution. The findings of this study on the phytoplankton species composition and abundance of River Ogun showed the predominance of Cyanophyta. This predominance must have been caused by the polluted nature of the water due to the anthropogenic activities carried out around its shores. It was therefore recommended that relevant laws in respect to sustainability of the river should be implemented.

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