Water Quality and Zooplankton Assessment of Iyiakwu River, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract Water quality and zooplankton assessment of a rural river in Southeast Nigeria was carried out between May 2019 October three stations relation to anthropogenic activities. The major activity the indiscriminate sand mining. water samples were collected analyzed using standard sampling analytical procedures while filtration method. pH dissolved oxygen values lower than acceptable limits some biochemical demand exceeded limit. A total 447 individuals from 25 taxa taxonomic groups recorded. Copepoda dominant group (158 individuals/L), followed by Rotifera (147 individuals/L) Cladocera (142 individuals/L). Spatially, station 1 had highest abundance (159 3 (152 2 (136 biodiversity indices (Shannon–Weiner Margalef) low Evenness high when compared with their respective ranges. This study has shown that combined effects season, mining other activities have not adversely affected community. However, community structure gave an indication moderately polluted environment; attributable season human watershed. Sand is needs be regulated forestall any adverse effect on biota future as observed elsewhere.