Author(s): Ukenye EA and Taiwo IA

Abstract: The Nigerian coastal waters are complex and dynamic aquatic environment valued for human, animal and plant health. Physicochemical parameters of the coastal environment play an essential role in assessing the type of ecosystem of organisms. The present study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical and biological characteristics of the Nigerian coastal waters in order to ascertain the water quality and productivity. Water quality data were generated from 12 coastal rivers for a period of 3 months during the rainy season from April to July, 2012. Some of the water parameters investigated was as follows: water temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), salinity and dissolved nutrients such as inorganic phosphate, nitrate and sulphate. The values for each parameter sampled were within the tolerable limits for aquaculture. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the parameters except for pH during the period of study. Furthermore, nutrients of water exhibited low values during the season and also varied due to a limited flow of freshwater, high salinity and utilization of phosphate by phytoplankton. The water quality of the coastal rivers is in normal condition indicating that the aquatic environment was conducive for the organisms during the study period. Though, sustainable management of the water bodies should be ensured.

Pages: 192-196  |  788 Views  133 Downloads

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