Studies on physico – chemical properties of pond water in relation to zooplanktonic organisms of the ponds of Oso-Edda in Afikpo, Ebonyi State Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the physico-chemical status and Checklist of Zooplankton of the ponds of Oso – Edda in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria was carried out in eight representative communities and a bore hole water which was a control study. The results showed that the mean of physico-chemical properties obtained were for the littoral zone of the twelve ponds (P1 – P12) studied and that these properties exhibited spatial and temporal variations. The mean abundance of zooplankton ranged from 3 to 78 orgs/Litre. There were more than seven genera of zooplankton with about ten species. The order Copepoda were the dominant zooplankton with the sub order Cyclopoida occurring in all the studied ponds. Other environmental indicators species identified include Moina micrura, Branchionus callcy florus, Amphipoda, Calonoida, Chironomidae Spp and the unidentified. The major abiotic factors influencing zooplankton population were principally climatic factors, pH, salinity, alkalinity, inorganic ions some of which were responsible for high conductivity.



Key Words: Physico-Chemical, Zooplankton, Guinea Worm.

[Global Jnl Environ Sci Vol.2(2) 2003: 82-87]