I.C. Onyema, C.U. Okpara, C.I. Ogbebor, O.0tudeko and D.I. Nwankwo
Abstract
The water chemistry characteristics and temporal plankton variations at a wood waste (Okobaba) and sewage (Iddo) disposal sites in the Lagos lagoon, Nigeria were investigated for six months (Dec. 1999 - May 2000). Similar trends in water chemistry characteristics and temporal plankton variation observed at both sites reflected control by the same tidal and floodwater regimes. A total of 106 phytoplankton taxa dominated by diatoms (81%) and 33 zooplankton and nine juvenile stages dominated by copepods (46.5%) were key groups that made up the plankton spectrum. The wood waste disposal site provided a better sanctuary and feeding ground for immigrant biota and supported a richer plankton diversity and density than the sewage disposal site. Tidal fluctuations were implicated in diluting feacal and wood waste pollutant lagoon water.