Abstract

The population of plankton in a disturbed wetland in Eagle Island, Niger Delta was carried out between April to September, 2023. Water samples were collected using a sample bottle and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Plankton samples were collected using a plankton net of mesh size 50μm. Nutrients and physico-chemical parameters were analyzed according to APHA 1998 standard. The results of water quality parameters include pH 7.59±0.015-11.72±.027, Temperature 28.37±0.03ºC-31.67±0.11oC, DO 4.53±.067mg/L-4.83±0.26mg/L, Conductivity 3291.00±1073.13μs/cm-14637.00±45.67μs/cm, Salinity 0.69±0.01%-1.01±0.00%, TDS 511.33±3.72mg/l-10246.00±32.01mg/l, Phosphate 0.15±0.02mg/l- 1.03±0.02mg/l, Sulphate 87.33±1.67mg/L-111.33±1.50mg/L, Nitrate 0.10±0.00mg/L-8.47±0.01mg/L. Mean values of the physico-chemical parameters except dissolved oxygen were not significantly different (p>0.05). In all, 427 phytoplankton from 44 taxa, were collected. Bacilliarophyceae dominated (51%) while Chrysophyceae had the least dominance (2%). Shannon Weiner index across the stations was highest in station 1 (3.302) and lowest in station 3 (2.35) in a trend of 3>2>1. A total of 199 zooplankton from 8 taxa were collected. Copepoda dominated (51%) followed by Cladocera (20%) and Nematoda (3%). Shannon Weiner index across the stations was highest in station 1 (3.304) and lowest in station 3 (3.153) in a trend of 3>2>1. Dissolved oxygen and temperature were within the WHO/FMEnv standards and can therefore support life. pH, E.C and TDS were above the regulatory limit. Generally, a fair diversity and composition was observed in the plankton.