Evaluation of aquatic macro-invertebrate populations: a model for emergent bio-monitoring guide for quantifying uncleanness of some Rivers in Northern Central Nigeria

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to examine the composition, abundance and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate communities, assess the health status and evaluate the spatial relationships of some selected Rivers. A total of 1251 individuals of macroinvertebrate taxa was recorded in this study. The percentage composition of the taxonomic groups obtained from the Twenty-two (22) stations were: Chironomidae (Diptera) (40.85%), Ephemeroptera (14.95%), Oligochaeta (9.83%), Amphibian (7.99%), Ceratopogonidae (Diptera) (7.11%), Mollusca (4.00%), Hemiptera (3.44%), Coleoptera (2.56%), Ostracoda (2.24%), Zygoptera (1.44%), Nematoda (1.12%), Decapoda (0.80%), Trichoptera (0.56%), Anisoptera (Odonata) (0.48%), Polychaeta (0.32%), Lipdoptera (0.08%) and Hydrachnidae (0.08%). The findings of this study indicated that Omeme, Kpansi Afara and Etsu rivers were classified as very poor category; exceeding the set benchmark. Etsu 11 and Afara Rivers were within the fair category. The Bray-Curtis indices revealed that there was similarity in all the stations Sustainable anthropogenic activities are recommended to avoid displacement of benthic communities.

Keywords: Neighboring clusters; Ecozones; North central; Pollution index; Benthic macroinvertebrates; Derive savannah