Effect of pollution on phytoplankton occurrence and distribution in River Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

The phytoplankton distribution of some parts of River Kaduna receiving Industrial effluents was surveyed for a period of one year. A total number of 2166 specimens of phytoplankton represented by four major taxa namely: Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Dinophyceae, were encountered. Green algae were most abundant and occurred more in the less heavily polluted area of the river while Ceratium was dominant in the polluted zone. Monthly studies showed variation in the abundance and distribution of the  phytoplankton.

Key words: Pollution, Phytoplankton, River Kaduna.