Author(s): Adeniyi AO and Akinwole AO

Abstract: The phytoplankton composition and the physic-chemical parameters of the down-stream, mid-stream and upper-stream of Agenebode lower river Niger was investigated between April and October, 2015. A total of 80 phytoplankton species belonging to four divisions; Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Euglenophyta which includes 34 genera, 10 orders and 17 families were observed. All the species of Bacillariophyta observed were pennate forms. Only Surirella elegans was observed in the three areas while Aulacoseira granulata, was observed in upper stream and Spirogyra dubia in the downstream of the river. The taxa were dominated qualitatively by green algae (desmids). The mid-stream accounted for most of the desmids encountered. Generally the division Chlorophyta had the highest percentage composition (45%), followed by Bacillariophyta (32.5%), Euglenophyta (15%) and Cyanophyta (7.5%). The physico-chemical parameters studied showed that temperature fluctuated between a mean of 27.5 ^°C to 31.75 °C. The pH values of the three areas had a mean range of 6.39 to 7.20; the DO for all the studied area were within 4mg/L to 10mg/L but there was variation in the mean conductivity values (DNS, 75.3μScm^-1; MDS, 67.58μScm^-1; UPS, 50μScm^-1).

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