Thesis Abstract

Plankton assemblage and water quality are key components in aquatic ecosystems, serving as indicators of ecosystem health and functioning. Understanding the relationship between plankton assemblages and water quality parameters is crucial for monitoring and managing aquatic environments. This research project aims to investigate the composition and abundance of plankton assemblages in relation to water quality in a freshwater ecosystem. The study will be conducted in a eutrophic lake over a one-year period to capture seasonal variations in plankton dynamics. Water samples will be collected at regular intervals from different depths to assess physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients (nitrate, phosphate), and turbidity. Plankton samples will be collected using plankton nets and analyzed for species composition and abundance. Preliminary data analysis revealed a diverse plankton community comprising phytoplankton, zooplankton, and bacterioplankton. Phytoplankton taxa such as diatoms, cyanobacteria, and green algae were dominant, indicating high primary productivity in the lake. Zooplankton diversity was also relatively high, with copepods, rotifers, and cladocerans being the most abundant groups. Bacterioplankton abundance was positively correlated with nutrient concentrations, suggesting potential nutrient enrichment in the lake. Water quality analysis indicated fluctuations in nutrient levels and turbidity throughout the sampling period, with higher concentrations observed during the warmer months. Dissolved oxygen levels remained relatively stable, supporting the growth and survival of planktonic organisms. The relationships between plankton assemblages and water quality parameters will be further explored using statistical analyses to identify key drivers of plankton dynamics in the lake. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the intricate interactions between plankton communities and water quality in freshwater ecosystems. By assessing the responses of plankton assemblages to environmental conditions, this study provides valuable insights for ecosystem monitoring and management practices. The findings will help inform conservation strategies aimed at preserving and restoring the ecological balance of aquatic systems. Further research is needed to investigate long-term trends and the impacts of anthropogenic activities on plankton dynamics and water quality in similar environments.

Thesis Overview

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Plankton is the foundation of the oceans food wed the word plankton comes from a Greek word plankton which means drifting plankton are organism drifting in column of the oceans seas and bodies of fresh water.
Plankton are made of both plant origin (phytoplankton) and animal origin (zooplankton) however they form the early foods for fish. The productivity of any water body is determine by the amount of plankton it contain as they are the major primary and secondary producer (pavis et al 2009)
In the last three decades several studies on the phytoplankton and zoo plankton of Nigeria freshwater and brakish water bodies have been carried out but few studies on the marine environment have been reported (Opute 1985).
Large phytoplankton creeks tends to be grazed by large phytoplankton resulting in shorter simplier foods wed and more efficient matters and energy transfer to large consumer (Tremply el al zone )plankton occurs naturally in water bodies and abundant quantity of plankton can be raised in concrete tanks and earthen pond (niffr,2001).however the abundant of plankton that are found in water body is basically dependence in the percentage of pollution that migrate its growth that is plankton abundance is affects by percentage of pollution Tremble et al 2004) Weiss and Stockner (1993) observed that energy in palegic ecosystem flow from phytoplankton the primary producer to zooplankton the consumer through the classical foods chain and microbial foods weds modes that use phytoplankton primary production as the main controlling variable fish predicting fish yield in lakes and reservoirs’ has resulted in more successful prediction than many other method (Knosche and Barthelme’s 1998)
There is a range of chemical physical and biological competent that affect water quality. Some of which could provide a general indication of water pollution while other enable the direct tracking of pollution sources these indication include not only its physiochemical characteristics but also aquatic organism and biochemical techniques sequel to this many group of organism have been used as indicators of water quality bodies including algae macrophysics protozoa fish and other animal.
Plankton which are all those group of tiny float drift or freely of feeble swim in water column independent of the shore and bottom occupy the base level of foods chains (autotrophs) that lead up to commercial important fisheries have severally been used as biv indicators or water quality.
Additionally, plankton communities, play a major role in the biogeo-chemical cycles of many important elements such as the carbon cycles nitrification demineralization and metuanogenesis.
These circles brings about such process as primary production and recycling
1.2. Objective of the study
The studies have the following objectives.
To identity the plankton assemblage in anwai river delta state.
To know which plankton is more abundance.
To know how the assemblage affected by the water quality.