Effect of physico-chemical parameters of water containing leech in University of Port Harcourt community Abuja, Port Harcourt

Abstract

The physic-chemical parameters of water samples containing leech from the University of Port Harcourt, Abuja Community were examined, between July – September, 2012. The major findings of the results showed that at a low temperature of 21⁰C the pH was 4.4 – 4.58 a high increase in BOD, 2.60 – 17.8, COD 12.00 – 140mg, DO 2.4 – 80mg and TSS 20 – 940. The results indicated that 28 taxa of the leeches were recorded in 4 families, 5 were recorded in station 1, 2(3); 3(9) and 4(11) Haementeria costata were more in number with a mean density of 3.3m² while Erobdella octoculata has the least with a mean density of 0.75m². It was observed the leeches were easily adapted to the various ecological conditions due to human activities and the resident fishes in the water body.

KEYWORD: Water body, invertebrates, leeches, conductivity and community.