IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICAL THEORY (IJASMT )

E- ISSN 2489-009X
P- ISSN 2695-1908
VOL. 11 NO. 2 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijasmt.vol.11.no2.2025.pg26.44

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Impact of Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metal Contamination on Plankton Communities in Kafin Gana Dam, Nigeria

Abdurrahman Ibrahim Said, Abubakar MM, Kabiru Shehu, Ibrahim AA, Kabiru, Jelani, Aminu Chediya Yahuza, Jabiru Mamman, Yau Musa

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Abstract

This study investigated the influence of physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations on plankton communities in Kafin Gana Dam, Nigeria. Sampling was conducted from March to August 2024, covering the dry and rainy seasons. Plankton were collected using planktonic net of 55µm mesh size by hauling horizontally for five meters. Water samples were collected from four sites, and standard protocols were employed for field and laboratory analyses. One-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were used to analyze the data using SPSS (v.11.0.1). Results indicated that monthly mean values varied significantly across parameters: Temperature (26–30.75°C), pH (6.52–7.55), Total Dissolved Solids (79.2–96.00 mg/L), Electrical Conductivity (47.50–96.50 µS/cm), Dissolved Oxygen (5.45–8.22 mg/L), Turbidity (14.33–25.67 NTU), Calcium (12.70–60.83 mg/L), Magnesium (0.41–5.05 mg/L), Sodium (4.64–5.14 mg/L), Potassium (3.54–9.38 mg/L), and Nitrate (1.07–3.36 mg/L). Heavy metal concentrations also varied: Manganese (0.13–1.20 mg/L), Copper (0.02–0.44 mg/L), Zinc (0.12–0.61 mg/L), and Lead (0.07– 0.39 mg/L). Plankton communities comprised four phytoplankton phyla (Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Euglenophyceae, and Cyanophyceae) and three zooplankton phyla (Rotifera, Cladocera, and Copepoda). Plankton abundance was significantly higher during the dry season and in areas with minimal anthropogenic activity, while reduced abundance was observed in areas with poor water quality. Significant correlations were found between physicochemical parameters, heavy metal concentrations, and plankton abundance, highlighting the need for sustainable management practices to maintain the dam's ecological integrity.

keywords:

Physicochemical parameters; heavy metals; plankton; kafin gana dam.

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