Composition of Periphyton Community on Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): In Analysis of Environmental Characteristics at Ejirin Part of Epe Lagoon in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The composition of periphyton community on water hyacinth was investigated at Ejirin, part of Epe Lagoon, in relation to environmental characteristics from December 2012 to May 2013. A total of 14,536 individuals of 104 species belonging to five divisions were identified, with Bacillariophyta (82.69%), Cyanobacteria (10.43%), Chlorophyta (5.63%), and Euglenophyta (1.15%). The total species abundance observed showed a strong correlation with rainfall ( $r = 0.745$) and strongly significant correlation with TDS ( $r={0.836}^{*}$; $P >0.05$). Biochemical oxygen demand value remained (BOD) $\le$4.8 mg/L while Shannon-Wiener index value remained ( $H_s)\le 1.47$. The presence of the following organisms could be used as an indicator of environmentally stressed aquatic ecosystem: euglenoids, blue green algae, Nitzschia palea, Surirellasp., Pinnulariasp., Gomphonema parvulum, Mougeotiasp., Spirogyrasp., Trachelomonas affinis(Lemm.), and T. ensifera Daday; T. gibberosaPlayf. and Phormidium articulatum; Lyngbya intermedia; Cymbella ventricosa; Eunotia arcus; Surirella linearisand Closterium parvulumNag.