The Phytoplankton Community Structure of a Tropical River in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

The phytoplankton community structure in Mbo Rver, Akwa ibom State was studied for a period of one year (December 2009-November 2010) using standard analytical methods. The aim was to study the algal structure as reference point for the sustainable management of the river in view of the proposed development plans for the river basin. The result showed that station 1 had the highest value of species richness making up 42.16% with 43 species. Station II recorded 30 species making up to 29.41% and Station III contributed to 28.43% of the sample with 29 species. A total of 102 species of phytoplankton in general and five taxonomic groups were collected. Of this total, the diatoms had the highest number of species (45 species), followed by chlorophyceae with 25 species. The highest diversity of 3.23 was recorded in Station I in march and the lowest of 2.96 in February also in Station 1.

Keywords: Phytoplankton, community structure, Mbo River