Wet season spatial occurrence of phytoplankton and zooplankton in Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria.

Abstract

Investigation into the spatial occurrence of wet season phytoplankton and zooplankton in Lagos lagoon, Nigeria was carried out in October, 2008 in 12 stations. A total of 36 species of phytoplankton from 21 genera, 20 zooplankton species from 17 genera and 10 juvenile forms were recorded for the study. The results showed that freshwater conditions within the lagoon were due to high freshwater inflow from adjoining waterways and reduced tidal incursion from the sea. The wet season spectrum of the lagoon was dominated by diatoms for the phytoplankton and copepods for the zooplankton. The presence and array of juvenile forms in the wet season suggest that the lagoon remain a sanctuary, nursery and breeding grounds for aquatic species Crustaceans dominated the spectrum of the juvenile forms.

Keywords: Plankton, Physico-chemical characteristics, lagoon, juvenile forms, Lagos.