Assessment of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna as bio-indicator and physicochemical characteristics in the Gulf of Guinea off western Nigerian shor

Benthic macroinvertebrates are helpful bio-indicators providing better understanding of modified and perturbed aquatic ecosystems. This study seeks to determine the ecological status diversity macroinvertebrate community in relation environmental variables western Nigerian offshore waters within Gulf Guinea. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected from five (5) sampling stations using a Van-veen grab following standard protocols. Water physico-chemical parameters measured onboard multi-parameter checker, HORIBA-U53. The water varied significantly (p<0.05) between stations. Macoma litoralis (13.71%), Tellina gilchristi trilateri (11.71%) dominant species, while Nassarius cuvierii, Oxystele tigrina Tritia lanceolata Turritella communis, communis Orbinia angrapequensis (0.33% each) least abundant. Axis 1 (63.73%) axis 2 (22.32%) Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) explained macrobenthic fauna-environmental association. Gastropoda showed strong relationship with salinity, silicate, sulphate, TDS conductivity Stations 1, 3. Bivalvia Scaphopoda pH, BOD, temperature, phosphate nitrate 4 5. AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI, 0.85), multivariate (M-AMBI, 0.80), Bentix (5.46) (BI, 1.00) that this section Guinea is undisturbed.