SEASONAL VARIATION IN PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PHYTOPLANKTON IN CALABAR RIVER PORT CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

A water sample from Calabar River port terminals was evaluated with the aim of determining physicochemical parameters and seasonal distribution of phytoplankton. Water samples were collected from three stations. Samples were subjected to standard procedure for determining physicochemical parameters. Phytoplankton was filtered using plankton net with 55µ mesh size and identified using keys from literature. Result showed significant variations (p<0.05) in some parameters (Dissolved Oxygen, Electrical Conductivity, Salinity, Nitrate, Nitrite and Phosphate) while no significant variations (p>0.05) was observed in others (pH, Total dissolved solid, Ammonium, Phosphate and turbidity). A total of 54 of phytoplankton individuals was identified in the water sample comprising of 4 classes, this include Bacillariophyceae (56.4%) Chlorophceae (19.6%), Xanthophyceae (14.5%) Cyanophyceae (7.4%) and Euglenodea (2.0%). There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the seasonal distribution of plankton between the wet (71.9%) and dry season (28.10). The study suggests a continuous audit of water in the river to ensure stability in the ecosystem.