An assessment of the biological and physico-chemical characteristics of two inland streams in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Physico-chemical parameters and biological (phytoplanktons and macrophytes) composition of Bindare and Hanwa streams in Zaria, Nigeria were studied for a period of three months (September to November 2008). The streams have catchments of varying land use patterns ranging from agricultural (farming and animal rearing), industrial and domestic activities. Temperature values ranged from 25.8 o C to 29.5 o C; pH values were within the neutral range (7.0±0.9); and the highest electrical conductivity (EC) values were recorded in Hanwa stream with a maximum value of 438 μs cm -1 . Significantly higher ( p < 0.05) dissolved oxygen (DO) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels were recorded in Bindare stream. Hanwa stream, with slower flow and higher ( p < 0.05) nutrient concentrations, supported higher biomass production in terms of species diversity and abundance. Twenty-seven algal and 7 aquatic macrophyte species were identified during the study. Prominent amongst the phytoplankton identified were Oscillatoria curviceps , Diatoma vulgaris and Microcystis aeruginosa . Wolffia arrhiza was the most dominant macrophyte species in Hanwa stream, while Ipomea aquatica was common to both streams. Keywords: Phytoplankton, aquatic macrophytes, water quality, lotic, ecosystems Journal of Aquatic Sciences 28 (1): 37- 42 (2013)