ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CONDITIONS AND PLANKTON DIVERSITY OF AGULU LAKE IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICO-CH
Rivers and lakes are constantly polluted in recent years through runoff and human activities. This have
resulted in the deterioration of the water quality of these water bodies, and in some cases have resulted
in the phenomenon of eutrophication which have serious impact on the plankton composition and
physico-chemical properties of the water bodies. Eutrophication of water bodies are greatly accelerated
by the activities of man. This degradation of water quality has had tremendous adverse effects on the
aquatic ecosystem as well as on man. Agulu Lake are daily enriched with nutrients responsible for
eutrophication (nitrates and phosphates). These nutrients find their way into the lake through the
numerous anthropogenic activities taking place in and around the areas. The degradation of the water
bodies is as a result of dumping of wastes, agricultural activities, sewage disposal, discharge of
effluents, use of detergents and defecation. The attendant adverse effect of the degradation of the
water bodies include variation in the physico-chemical properties and plankton composition in relation
to season. Also, the water quality which serve as sources of drinking water and other domestic activities
for the inhabitants of the areas is affected. ; plankton composition can serve as indicator of pollution
of the lake. There is need to identify the plankton communities of this lake so as to detect changes in
the community structure. The focus of the study is to evaluate the physico-chemical conditions of Agulu
Lake in Anambra State, and to assess the composition and abundance of plankton assemblage of the
lake. The results showed that the variations in physicochemical parameters and plankton diversity
which is in abundance in Agulu lake is a reflection of the anthropogenic activities around the drainage
basins of the rivers which impact significantly on the water quality. The study also revealed that the
lake sustains dense populations of phytoplankton and zooplankton species and the reduction of both
phytoplankton and zooplankton diversities was as a result of human activities.
Keywords: Physico-Chemical, Parameters, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and Diversities