Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators of Water Quality Assessment in a Tropical Stream

Document Type : Primary Research paper

Authors

1 Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001 Nigeria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6205-4886 Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 China Bioconservation Unit, Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria

2 Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001 Nigeria

3 Bioconservation Unit, Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated the physicochemical properties and macroinvertebrates abundance of the Iyi-agu stream located at Ozzi-Edem Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria. Samples were collected fortnightly at three sampling points: upstream, midstream, and downstream from June to August 2019 for physicochemical analysis and macro-invertebrate studies. The monthly variations of macroinvertebrates and physicochemical properties were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation matrices. Three species of macroinvertebrates: Hirudo medicinalis, Nsukkadrillus mbae, and Anopheles gambiae were recorded. Hirudo medicinalis showed a weak correlation with nitrate (r = 0.424, p = 0.028) while Anopheles gambiae correlated strongly with nitrate (r = 0.644, p = 0.0001) and depth (r = 0.687, p = 0.0001) respectively. Nitrate and depth were the major factors that influenced the abundance of macroinvertebrates. The macroinvertebrate abundance was a good biological indicator of the water quality of the Iyi-agu stream. Therefore, macroinvertebrates are a suitable option that should be considered in biological assessments of water bodies.

Keywords

Int. J. of Aquatic Science
Volume 12, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
June 2021
Pages 3552-3561

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