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Abstract
The macrobenthic fauna in bottom sediments of Ekpan
Creek was studied from January to June 2007. Analyzed
heavy metals were Lead, Iron, Zinc, Copper, and
Chromium. Variations in chemical parameters showed
that station 2 had the highest values recorded in all
parameters except for Iron and Zinc, where they were
higher at station 1. A total of 1135 individual organisms
were recorded. Nineteen (19) macroinvertebrate taxa
belonging to four major groups were identified. Mollusca
were the most dominant and constituted 92.51% density
occurrence, while insecta, crustacean, and polychaeta
constituted 1.94, 2.29, and 3.26% respectively. Diversity
varied at the study stations, with the highest taxa richness
recorded at station 1. Mollusca were positively
significantly correlated with lead (P < 0.05, r = 0.836),
and Zinc (P < 0.05, r = 0.96). Sorenson index indicates
similarity in species composition between the stations.
.2007
.
2
19 1135 .1
.%92.51
. %3.26 %2.29%1.94
.1
.
Keywords
1. Introduction
Creek; Nigeria
2009 Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences. All rights reserved - Volume 2, Number 1
Study Area
Sampling Location
a.
Sampling Techniques
2009 Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences. All rights reserved - Volume 2, Number 1
4.
Results
a. SEDIMENT
The summary of the heavy metals concentration values
of the sediment of Ekpan creek study stations is presented
in Table 1.
Statistical Analysis
2009 Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences. All rights reserved - Volume 2, Number 1
b.
Table 1. The summary of chemical parameters in the three study stations of Ekpan Creek.
STATION 1
STATION 2
STATION 3
Parameter
Units
Mean S. E
Min - Max
Mean S. E
Min Max
Mean S. E
Min Max
Lead
mg/kg
8.52 6.79
42.50
13.09 8.44
1.30 55.00
4.85 4.03
0.59 25.00
Iron
mg/kg
41.11 8.93
16.67 70.00
58.39 8.94
26.67 93.33
28.33 9.10
6.67 66.67
Zinc
mg/kg
9.16 2.29
4.87 19.60
10.58 1.43
6.96 15.30
4.78 1.85
1.21 12.70
Copper
mg/kg
6.26 2.93
0.69 20.30
8.67 3..21
1.59 23.30
4.22 2.05
0.47 14.00
Chromium
mg/kg
16.51 6.49
2.98 43.16
21.79 9.10
4.00 54.74
14.89 6.86
2.02 37.89
2009 Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences. All rights reserved - Volume 2, Number 1
Namanereis hawaiiensis
Lycastopsi sp
Nereis sp
10
11
DECAPODA
Potamalpheops monody
22
DIPTERA
Chironomus sp
Tanytarsus sp
Tanypus sp
10
LEPIDOPTERA
Lepidopteran larvae
ARCHAEOGASTROPODA
Neritina glabrata
14
69
72
Nerita senegalensis
20
18
MESOGASTROPODA
Hydrobia sp
Potamopyrgus sp
1
87
103
22
Tympanotonus furscatus
radula
138
271
85
Tympanotonus furscatus
furscatus
64
36
Potamopyrgus ciliatus
Argyronecta aquatica
5.
Groups
Taxa
% Taxa
Individual
% Individual
Polychaeta
15.79
37
3.26
Crustacean
5.26
26
2.29
Insecta
21.05
22
1.94
Mollusca
11
57.89
1050
92.51
STATION II
STATION III
STATION I
81.48
72.00
Pila ovata
Assiminea hessei
STATION II
81.48
69.23
STATION III
72.00
69.23
Macoma cumana
21
Total
302
559
274
Discussion
2009 Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences. All rights reserved - Volume 2, Number 1
Figure 9. Spatial and temporal variation in species richness of benthic macroinvertebrate in the study area.
High abundance and distribution of mollusc in Ekpan
creek could be attributed to the level of pH in the creek.
Slight decrease in acidity and the corresponding slight
increase in alkalinity may account for the abundance of
mollusc. Beadle (1994), has reported that acidity is one of
the major factors limiting the distribution of the mollusc in
water bodies and in support of this, Nwadiaro (1984),
reported that the distribution of mollusc in the lower Niger
Delta was limited to the neutral to slightly alkaline
brackish water zone. Of all the molluscan recorded in this
study, six species; Neritina glabrata, Nerita senegalensis,
Potamopyrgus ciliatus, Tympanotonus furscatus radula,
Tympanotonus furscatus furscatus and Macoma cumana
were present in all the stations. Mollusca were positively
significantly correlated with lead, and zinc.
The distribution pattern of insecta shows that they were
restricted to stations 1 and 2. Awachie (1981) observed
that the Insecta usually does not show habitat restrictions,
but the dominance of chironomids at station 2 compared to
other stations may indicate pollution stress in the station.
The crustaceans were represented by single specie,
Potamalpheops monodi. This was mostly found at station
1 and its abundance in that station may be due to factors
other than food and shelters.
Conclusion
2009 Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences. All rights reserved - Volume 2, Number 1