The Effect of Detergent Effluent on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Plankton Diversity of Osere Stream, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The physico-chemical properties and plankton diversity were studied in Osere stream, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria from November 2009 to April 2010. Surface water and plankton samples were collected from three sampling stations. High value of Biochemical Oxygen Demand of 8.68mg/L and low value of Dissolved Oxygen of 1.23mg/L at the point of entry than at the upper flow of the stream indicate pollution stress. Also the presence of high abundance of Anabaena and Oscillatoria sp. which are pollution indicator species shows the negative effect the effluent from the detergent factory has on the stream, thus posing a potential threat to the people who live around and depend on the stream for daily use, hence the need for proper management of the stream. © JASEM