A Study on the Impact of Urban and Industrial Development in the Linggi River Basin,Malaysia. 1. Morphometry and Physical Environment

The Linggi River Basin is one of the most polluted river basins in Malaysia and drains an area of about 1,399km² in the state of Negri Sembilan. An extensive multidisciplinary research was carried out to develop a predictive mathematical model to manage the Linggi River basin effectively. This paper reports only the morphometry and other physical environmental conditions of the Linggi River Basin which was carried out between January, 1983 and January, 1984. Topography, vegetation, landuse pattern, general geology and lithology, population distribution and water usage by the people are discussed. In addition, physical information such as air and water temperatures, precipitation, sunshine, discharge, suspended solids and dissolved solids data collected before and after the study period are discussed in detail.     

Ecological notes on the species of Phacus Dujardin (Euglenophyta) from the central region of Portugal

Twenty-one species, belonging to the genus Phacus, were identified during the study of samples from the central region of Portugal collected in lentic systems. The abundance of each taxon was determined. Water samples were taken for determination, by means of standard methods, of physicochemical parameters (water temperature, pH, organic matter (K₂Cr₂O₇), conductivity, alkalinity, nitrogen as N(NH₄⁺), N(NO₂^–) and N(NO₃^–), orthophosphate P(PO₄^3–) and metals in a total of 35 parameters). Some species were found more frequently, namely Phacus agilis Skuja, Ph. aenigmaticus Drez., Ph. caudatus Hübn., Ph. gigas Da Cunha, Ph. triqueter (Ehr.) Duj., Ph. longicauda (Ehr.) Duj. and Ph. tortus (Lemm.) Skv. Eighteen taxa were found in the sampling sites characterized by the following variation intervals of the environmental parameters: water temperature: 11.4–21.6 °C; pH: 6.2–7.5; dichromate oxidability: 10–59 mg l^–1; conductivity: 145–779 μS cm^–1; nitrogen as NO₃^–: n.d.–2.852 mg l^–1; orthophosphate: n.d.–0.892 mg l^–1; chloride: 14.2–109.3 mg l^–1; sodium: 10.3–47.5 mg l^–1 and total iron: 135–6446 μg l^–1. In this work, information concerning the environmental conditions that preceded the occurrence of these species as well as results of the cytological and morphologic studies (with bright field microscopy as a resource) is presented and discussed.     

Precipitation potential as a major factor in the formation of granular sludge in an upflow sludge-blanket reactor for denitrification of drinking water

The effects of the chemical composition of water on granular sludge formation and characteristics in a denitrifying upflow sludge-blanket (USB) reactor were studied. Denitrification of drinking water showed different biomass sludge characteristics when the reactor was fed with groundwater as opposed to surface water. USB reactors fed with groundwater produced granules with good settling characteristics, SVI (sludge volume index) values lower than 30 ml/g, and high reactor biomass concentrations (20–25 g/l), while surface-water-fed reactors exhibited lower biomass concentrations (10–15 g/l) due to poor settling characteristics (SVI values of 50–90 ml/g). Sludge granules from the reactor fed with surface water had a low mineral content of between 10% and 20% as compared to a mineral content of 25%–50% in the groundwater reactor. The larger mineral content in the groundwater-fed reactor was due to a greater precipitation potential, i.e. higher concentrations of calcium and alkalinity present in groundwater combined with the release of alkalinity and subsequent increase in pH caused by biological denitrification. Verification for this phenomenon was established by enriching surface water with calcium and alkalinity, which increased the reactor's precipitation potential from 15 mg/1 to 40 mg/1 (as CaCO₃). The granules obtained from the reactor fed with enriched surface water had a high mineral content of between 40% and 50% and very low SVI values, contributing to improved granule-settling characteristics and reactor stability.     

Changes in gill histology of fathead minnows and yellow perch transferred to soft water or acidified soft water with particular reference to chloride cells

Summary Fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, and yellow perch, Perca flavescens, were transferred from moderately soft Lake Superior water (hardness 45mg/l as CaCO₃) to very soft diluted Lake Superior water (hardness 4.5mg/l). Sulfuric acid was added in some treatments by means of a multichannel diluter. In very soft water, chloride cells proliferated in the gills, especially in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae. When exposed to acid, chloride cells were damaged and less abundant in the secondary lamellae, and blood osmolality was reduced at pH 5.0 (x = 188 mOsm/kg, 9 days exposure; normal 280 mOsm/kg) for the minnows and pH 4.1 (x = 218 mOsm/kg, 58 days exposure; normal 329 mOsm/kg) for the perch. Certain chloride cells which form gland-like clusters in the primary lamellae of perch gills showed little damage even at pH 4.1. The present study supports the view that chloride cells proliferate in very soft fresh water to help maintain ionic balances, and that damage to these cells in acidified soft water may be related to diminished ionoregulatory capacity. The greater acid tolerance of chloride cells of, and the higher blood osmolality maintained by, perch could help to explain the greater tolerance of this species to low pH. In some cases, a species' ability to acclimate to very soft water and acidified soft water may depend upon the number, distribution, and physiology of its chloride cells.     

Nutrients,Conductivity and Plankton in a Landscape Approach to a Pampean Saline Lowland River (Salado River,Argentina)

Nutrients, conductivity and other physical and chemical parameters were measured seasonally in the main channel and in tributaries of the Salado River basin during the period March 1997–June 1999. The sampling began in a low water period and later included flood events. High water events were associated with high proportions of allochthonous compounds (polyphenols, suspended solids and organic matter). Nutrients and conductivity were related to hydrological conditions and different land uses in the catchment. A relationship was found between the land-use and nutrient concentrations due to the inflow of diffuse sources from agricultural lands. High nutrient concentrations and conductivity recorded in the headwaters were, respectively, related to the intensive agriculture in this area and the inflow of saline groundwater, drained by canals from endorheic basin to the main channel. Their effects on the middle and lower reaches were related to the discharge and inputs of other sub-catchments. Nutrients, sulphates, alkalinity and conductivity declined downstream towards the river mouth. The consequences for the plankton community of these spatio-temporal changes in the chemical characteristics are discussed. The heterogeneity of the Salado River is related to seasonality, land use and the geomorphological features of the basin.     

Big Moose Basin: simulation of response to acidic deposition

The ILWAS model has been enhanced for application to multiple-lake hydrologic basins. This version of the model has been applied to the Big Moose basin, which includes Big Moose Lake and its tributary streams, lakes, and watersheds. The basin, as defined, includes an area of 96 km², with over 20 lakes and ponds, and 70 km of streams. Hydrologic and chemical calibrations have been made using data from seven sampling stations. When total atmospheric sulfur loading to the basin is halved, the model predicts, after four years of simulation, a decreasing sulfate concentration and to a lesser extent a rising alkalinity at Big Moose Lake outlet. At the end of four years, the results show an increase in pH of 0.1 to 0.5 pH units depending upon season.     

Biological Assessment of Water Pollution Using Periphyton Productivity and Standing Crop in the Linggi River,Malaysia

Many assessments of water pollution in aquatic ecosystem have focused mainly on physical and chemical characteristics. However, until recently, biological aspects have been given little attention. Although physical and chemical methods of assessing water pollution are relatively simple to interpret, biological assessments have many strong merits. Therefore an attempt was made to use periphyton productivity (in terms of biomass ash‐free dry weight, AFDW) and chlorophyll‐a content (measured from periphyton colonized on glass microscope slides) to assess water pollution in the Linggi river. The Linggi River is a tropical lotic system in the country of Malaysia. As a result of increased nutrient enrichment due to sewage and agro‐industrial wastes, analyses of accumulated periphyton on glass slides showed increased biomass AFDW from an unpolluted upstream reach to the highly polluted downstream reach of the river. In contrast to biomass, the chlorophyll‐a content of the accumulated periphyton was not always directly related to the AFDW of the biomass. Though the highly polluted Station 4 showed high biomass AFDW and chlorophyll‐a, due to increased nutrient enrichment. The chlorophyll‐a values at slightly polluted Station 2 were lower than at the unpolluted Station 1. Meanwhile, the mean chlorophyll‐a content observed in Linggi river was relatively high as compared to previous studies carried out in Malaysia. When the Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using key chemical parameters linked to organic pollution, there was a significant correlation between chemical parameters, biomass AFDW, and chorophyll‐a. Though the chlorophyll‐a content increased with decreases in the WQI, similar to the biomass AFDW, the chlorophyll‐a values were found to be lower in slightly polluted Station 2 than unpolluted Station 1. Therefore it was not necessary that an increase in the biomass AFDW, due to nutrient enrichment, would always increase the chlorophyll‐a in accumulated periphyton (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An ecological study of the macrophytic vegetation of Doodhadhari Lake,Raipur, M. P. 3 chemical factors

Summary The paper is based on the monthly fluctuations of various chemical constituents studied at three stations established at different depths. It includes a discussion on the horizontal and vertical distribution of different chemical factors and their relationship with the distribution of plants in the lake. The factors studied are dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, pH, alkalinity, specific conductivity, sodium, potassium, total hardness, calcium and magnesium.Part of the thesis submitted for the degree of doctor of philosophy     

The influence of the chemical composition of drinking water on cuprosolvency by biofilm bacteria

AIMS: This study investigated the influence of water chemistry on copper solvation (cuprosolvency) by pure culture biofilms of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from copper plumbing. METHODS AND RESULTS: Heterotrophic bacteria isolated from copper plumbing biofilms including Acidovorax delafieldii, Flavobacterium sp., Corynebacterium sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were used in laboratory coupon experiments to assess their potential for cuprosolvency. Sterile copper coupons were exposed to pure cultures of bacteria to allow biofilm formation and suspended in drinking waters with different chemical compositions. Sterile coupons not exposed to bacteria were used as controls. After 5 days of incubation, copper release and biofilm accumulation was quantified. The results demonstrated that cuprosolvency in the control experiments was influenced by water pH, total organic carbon (TOC) and conductivity. Cuprosolvency in the presence of biofilms correlated with the chemical composition of the water supplies particularly pH, Langeliers Index, chloride, alkalinity, TOC and soluble phosphate concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest water quality may influence cuprosolvency by biofilms present within copper plumbing pipes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The potential for water chemistry to influence cuprosolvency by biofilms may contribute to the sporadic nature of copper corrosion problems in distribution systems.     

Assessment of Water Pollution using Diatom Community Structure and Species Distribution — A Case Study in a Tropical River Basin

A study on biological assessment of water pollution using diatom community structure and species distribution was carried out in the Linggi River Basin, Malaysia which was polluted by various urban, industrial and agricultural wastes. A total of 86 diatom taxa belonging to 21 genera were recorded from all eight sampling stations located in the basin, of which 70 species were found on artificial substrates; the remaining 16 species were recorded exclusively on natural substrates. The number of diatom species observed between the stations varied from 22-47 species. The dominant diatom species in decreasing order of abundance were Eunotia vanheurckii, Nitzschia palea, Achnanthes saxonica, Gomphonema parvulum and Achnanthes minutissima. The most common clean water species were Achnanthes minutissima, A. linearis and Synedra rumpens. The most tolerant species were Nitzschia palea followed by Gomphonema parvulum and Pinnularia braunii. Eunotia vanheurckii and Navicula cryptocephala occurred in high densities at both unpolluted and polluted stations and can be considered as the common facultative or indifferent species. Although a large number of species were recorded at the unpolluted stations, equivalent number of species were also found at the moderately polluted stations. However, the number of species was reduced at grossly polluted stations. Nevertheless, a marked variation in species association exists between the unpolluted and polluted stations, but not among the polluted stations to distinguish the type and degree of pollution.     

The effects of biofilms on chemical processes in surficial sediments

1. The objectives of the present work were: (a) to evaluate the effects of the development and the presence of a photosynthetically active algal biofilm on chemical fluxes and processes at the sediment–water interface; (b) to measure the effects of the biofilm on chemical concentration gradients in the bulk sediment; and (c) to monitor pH and dissolved oxygen concentration in the biofilm, and through the sediment–water interface using microelectrodes. 2. Two experiments were performed over a period of 8 weeks using a recirculating fluvarium channel containing river sediments with an exposed surface of 0.2 m² and 20 dm³ of overlying solution. The first experiment was in darkness with minimal effects of a photosynthetically active biofilm. The second experiment in natural light produced a complex photosynthetic biofilm involving a succession of diatoms, green algae and cyanobacteria. 3. The solution overlying the biofilm was monitored continuously for dissolved calcium, silicon, phosphorus, alkalinity and oxygen, as well as conductivity, temperature and pH. The surface of the sediment was also monitored for biological and physical changes as the biofilm developed. The overlying solution was analysed over a period of 48 h at 2-h intervals to examine the effects of a well-developed algal biofilm. At the end of the 48 h, pH and oxygen microelectrodes were used to measure gradients above and through the biofilm, and porewaters were analysed from sediments which had been longitudinally sectioned at a maximum depth resolution of 0.5 mm. 4. Biofilm development had a large influence on the composition of the overlying solution and the development of vertical concentration gradients of solutes in the porewater. Once a diatom community was established, the concentration of dissolved silicon was low (< 40 μm ), with all the silicon diffusing from the underlying sediment being consumed in the biofilm (≈ 0.026 μmol m^?2 s^?1 at the end of the experiment). 5. The concentrations of calcium, alkalinity and phosphorus in digested sediment increased near the sediment–water interface. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that calcite was formed at the surface. Estimation of the fluxes of alkalinity and calcium in the overlying solution were consistent with calcite formation during daylight and possible dissolution in darkness. The maximum precipitation flux of calcium was 0.87 μmol m^?2 s^?1 and the maximum net release flux was 0.89 μmol m^?2 s^?1. 6. The net loss of soluble reactive phosphorus from the overlying solution measured over the intensive sampling period of 48 h is consistent with a coprecipitation mechanism and a surface density of phosphorus included in the lattice of calcite of 0.097 μmol m^?2. Processes in the biofilm rather than diffusion from the sediment porewater control chemical fluxes of calcium, alkalinity and phosphorus from the sediment to the overlying water.     

Limnological studies of and primary production in temple pond ecosystems

Three temple ponds with permanent blooms of blue green algae were highly productive. They all showed high alkalinity, hardness, electrical conductivity and pH. Organic carbon and nitrogen were highest in Sarvatheertham pond—60 to 79.6 mg./l. C and 4.10 to 7.60 mg./l. N. In Tamaraikulam it was 16.5 to 20.3 mg. C/l. and 1.03 to 1.32 mg. N/l. In Sarvatheertham, the gross production ranged from 2.85 to 20.72 g. O₂/m.²/d. Self shading by blanket algae of blue greens reduced productivity in Sarvatheertham, where a persistent thermal and biochemical stratification was noted. Very high organic carbon and nitrogen contents were noted in Sarvatheertham pond. The dry weight of plankton in this pond ranged from 430 to 900 mg./l. Productivity computed from diurnal changes in alkalinity and dissolved oxygen also revealed a high rate in Ayyankulam, Tamaraikulam and Sarvatheertham in descending order. Very wide fluctuations in pH, both diurnally and depth-wise, were recorded in Sarvatheertham and to a lesser extent in the other two ponds. Photosynthetic efficiency was 4.03% in Ayyankulam, 2.09% in Tamaraikulam and 1.56% in Sarvatheertham. By the diurnal oxygen curve method, a gross primary production of 97.5 g. O₂/m.²/d was recorded in Ayyankulam.     

Seasonal and Interannual changes of chemical characteristics and phytoplankton in a mountain lake of the Eastern Italian Alps (Lake Calaita,Trentino)

Measurements at Lake, Calaita, a small mountain lake located at 1605 m. a.s .l. in a metamorphic catchment area in the south of the Trentino Region (Northern Italy), have revealed great seasonal variations in the chemical characteristics and phytoplankton community during the ice free period in 1992 and 1993. The acidity present in wet precipitations (H⁺, NH₄⁺) was neutralised within the drainage basin by mineral dissolution which led to an increase of basic cations and alkalinity in the runoff. The dilution during periods of higher discharge, e.g. in spring and autumn, resulted in low values of alkalinity (up to 60 μeq 1⁻¹), pH (mostly <6.7) and conductivity (<8 μS cm⁻¹, 20°C). In summer, the decrease in runoff caused higher alkalinity (>10 μeq 1⁻¹), pH (6.9–7.4) and conductivity values (up to 30 μS cm⁻¹). The phytoplankton showed a major development in summer (with biovolume values of up to 7000 mm³ m⁻³), two different taxa being dominant in 1992 (Oocystis cf. lacustris) and 1993 (Synedra sp.). Unpredictable climatic conditions have a strong influence on the physical stability of the lake, which makes it more difficult to explain the evolution of the phytoplankton community as opposed to deeper lakes.     

Physical and Chemical Conditions in Long Pond,St. John's,Newfoundland: A Pond Receiving Both Rural and Urban Runoff

The physico-chemical environment was studied from June 1971 to May 1973 at five stations in Long Pond, St. John's, Newfoundland. This pond receives both rural and urban runoff and is characterized by a high flushing rate. Of the parameters studied, concentrations of total suspended matter, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total CO₂, and free CO₂ were significantly greater in a small pool prior to the main body of the pond near the entry of Learys Brook. Current speed is noticeably reduced at this point. No significant differences were found between stations with respect to pH, dissolved O₂, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, Ca hardness, Mg hardness, alkalinity, ammonium-N, nitrite-N, nitrate-N, orthophosphate and polyphosphate. Water quality in Long Pond is compared with unpolluted lakes and streams in the area; nutrient levels are indicative of eutrophic conditions.     

Effect of influent pH and alkalinity on the removal of chlorophenols in sequential anaerobic–aerobic reactors

This study was carried out to determine the effect of influent pH and alkalinity on the performance of sequential UASB and RBC reactors for the removal of 2-CP and 2,4-DCP from two different simulated wastewaters. The performance of methanogens at low (<6.0) to high (>8.0) pH values and at sufficiently high alkalinity (1500–3500 mg/l as CaCO₃) is described in this paper. Sequential reactors were capable of handling wastewaters with influent pH, 5.5–8.5. However, with influent pH 7.0 ± 0.1 UASB reactor showed best performance for 2-CP (99%) and 2,4-DCP (88%) removals. Increase in alkalinity/COD ratio in the influent (>1.1) caused gradual decrease in the chlorophenol removal in UASB reactors. The UASB reactors could not tolerate wastewater with higher alkalinity/COD ratio (2.6) and showed significant deterioration of its performance in terms of chlorophenols removal achieving only 74.7% 2-CP and 60% 2,4-DCP removals, respectively.     

Water quality of streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Water samples from streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were analyzed for 16 physical, chemical, and bacteriological water quality parameters. Bacterial densities, pH, alkalinity, turbidity, and concentrations of Na, K, and Si were found to be higher in the low elevations than in the high. Nitrate concentrations increased with increasing elevation. Watersheds which had been logged prior to the establishment of the park had significantly lower stream water nitrate concentrations than unlogged watersheds at similar elevations. Bedrock geology was found to influence pH, alkalinity, conductivity, hardness, and concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Si. The seasonal pattern for most water quality parameters was for higher concentrations or values in the summer and lower in the winter. Discharge was highest in the winter and spring and lowest in the summer and fall. Nitrate concentrations were highest in the late winter and early spring and lowest in the fall. Storm events often caused large changes in water quality.     

Acute toxicity of a household bleach,sodium hypochlorite,to a whirligig beetle Orectogyrus alluaudi Régimbart, 1889 (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae)

Acute response of Orectogyrus alluaudi Régimbart, 1889 to sodium hypochlorite was reported after a 48-h acute toxicity test in an imitated field condition. O. alluaudi belongs to the water beetle family Gyrinidae (whirligig beetles) which includes more than 700 species. The test organisms were exposed to various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite ranging from 10 to 160 mg/l along with the control, and median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values at 24 and 48 h of exposure were assessed. Mortality increased with the concentration of exposure. The 24 and 48 h LC₅₀ values estimated for sodium hypochlorite were 87.30 (73.21–107.06) and 72.32 (62.24–84.53) mg/l, respectively. A significant mortality (P < 0.001) was observed at 40, 80 and 160 mg/l of sodium hypochlorite when compared with the control. Addition of sodium hypochlorite altered the alkalinity and pH of the test water. Behavioural responses such as agitation and disorientation were also observed. The finding showed that indiscriminate use of the household bleach would have serious impact on the bionomics of this species.     

A new biomonitoring protocol to determine the ecological health of impoundments using artificial substrates

The colonisation potential of macroinvertebrate families was measured using artificial substrates. These substrates were tested on three highveld impoundments. Bronkhorstspruit Dam was an amictic, mesotrophic impoundment, while Hartbeespoort and Roodeplaat Dams were both monomictic, eutrophic impoundments. Bronkhorstspruit Dam had the best water quality and the smallest algal population, comprising mainly diatom species. Hartbeespoort Dam had the most saline water (TDS 96–400 mg/l; NH₄ <0.004–0.218mg/l; NO₂+NO₃ 0.109–2.776mg/l; PO₄ <0.04–0.06mg/l), while Roodeplaat Dam had the highest nutrient concentrations (TDS 200–373mg/l; NH₄ <0.04–0.933mg/l; NO₂+NO₃ <0.04–2.310mg/l; PO₄ 0.041–0.472 mg/l). Both Hartbeespoort and Roodeplaat Dams had large algal populations that resulted in very alkaline water during summer. Microsystis dominated the phytoplankton population in these two impoundments during summer and autumn, while green algae and diatoms were dominant during winter and spring. Ecological health was determined using two different biotic indices. Two modifications of the Belgian Biotic Index and a modification of SASS4 (SASSD) were tested. Three health classes were suggested for SASSD scores and ASPT values. It is concluded that artificial substrates with SASSD (and ASPT) as a biotic index can be used to determine the biological health of impoundments, but that further refinement of the index is needed.     

Distribution patterns of aquatic oligochaetes inhabiting watercourses in the Northwestern Iberian Peninsula

Distribution patterns of aquatic oligochaete assemblages, inhabiting largely unpolluted watercourses, in the Northwestern Iberian Peninsula, and their relationships with chemical and physiographical characteristics were analyzed by means of multivariate analyses. Qualitative and quantitative samples from 47 stations were obtained seasonally during 1983/84 and 1988/90. The variables included in this study were altitude, order number, distance from the origin, mean width, mean depth, substrate, current velocity, oxygen content, pH, conductivity, alkalinity and concentration of different ions.From a chemical point of view, major changes in the structure of oligochaete assemblages were related to water mineralization. The correlation between faunal distribution and environmental variables showed a great increase when physiographic parameters were included in the analyses. Substrate type and current velocity are the principal variables explaining the community structure.     

Exploring spatio-temporal patterns of plankton diversity and community structure as correlates of water quality in a tropical stream

Ecology of plankton in the downstream reaches of Kaduna River, Zungeru, Niger state, Nigeria was investigated between April and August 2015. Plankton and surface water samples were collected monthly from three stations for analysis of plankton diversity and physico-chemical parameters respectively. Station 1 is relatively unperturbed station located at the outskirts of Zungeru town, station 2 with moderate human activity located in Zungeru town while station 3 with minimal level of anthropogenic activities was located in Wushishi town about 7 km from station 2. The result revealed that the minimum and maximum values for pH water temperature, air temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO) biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), phosphate, Nitrate, and secchi disc transparency were 5.38–6.79, 25–31 °C, 26–31 °C, 32–72 μs/cm, 3.50–8.20 mg/l, 1.00–5.00 mg/l, 0.06–1.13 mg/l 0.44–1.31 mg/l, 39.140 cm respectively. A total of 26 species of zooplankton and 24 species of phytoplankton were encountered in the study. The highest number of plankton (20 taxa) was recorded at station 2 while station 1 with 18 taxa and station 3 with 13 representative taxa. For zooplankton, the highest number of taxa was recorded at station 1 (20 taxa), followed by station 3 (14 taxa) and 10 taxa in station 2 were identified. Copepoda of the order cyclopidae dominated all the three stations while Bacillariophyta dominated the three stations for phytoplankton diversity. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) ordination was used to determine phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance in relation to the physico-chemical parameters. Nitrate, phosphate and dissolved oxygen had over riding influence on the distribution of the plankton in the water body which indicate that the river is still very productive in terms of providing starter food organisms for higher aquatic life. However, care should be taken to protect the river from further deterioration due to various degrees of human activities.