Phytoplankton Population in Relation to Physicochemical Parameters of Gwaigwaye Reservoir Katsina State, Nigeria

The study on phytoplankton population in relation to physicochemical parameters of Gwaigwaye reservoir, Katsina state was carried out from May 2013 to April 2014to establish physical, chemical, and biological parameters (Phytoplankton) of Gwaigwaye reservoir. Four sampling stations were chosen; the physicochemical and biological parameters were determined using standard methods and procedures. The result revealed that; Water temperature (25.02 ± 0.17⁰C), pH (7.54 ± 0.03), Alkalinity (3.69±0.09), Conductivity (129.43 ± 5.15μS/cm), Total Dissolved Solids (50.54 ± 0.57mg/L) Nitrate-nitrogen (0.21 ± 0.04mg/L), Water hardness (134.44 ± 3.06mg/LCaCO3), Dissolved Oxygen (3.98 ± 0.10mg/L), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (2.53 ± 0.08mg/L), Phosphate-phosphorus (0.19 ± 0.02mg/L), Chloride (5.09 ± 0.15mg/L), Sulphor-sulphate (0.21± 0.01) and Calcium (2.97±0.06mg/L) varied with months and seasons. Analysis of variance indicated significant difference between seasons (P < 0.05); but no significant difference in phytoplankton distribution and abundance among the four stations (P>0.05). The result indicated phytoplankton percentage composition as; Chlorophyta (57.66%), Bacillariophyta (25.70%), Cyanophyta (14.73%), and Dinophyta (1.91%). Water quality of the reservoir is influenced by anthropogenic activities, the reservoir water is suitable for irrigational and domestic purposes from the results of most of the physicochemical and biological parameters obtained. Hence, there is need for an effective anthropogenic inputs control programme in the reservoir.