Akpan Imekan I, Ukekpe Uduak S, George Ubong and Okon Joseph E

The relationship of plankton abundance to physico-chemical parameters of Lower Imo River Estuary were studied for a period of 12 months, (January - December, 2021). Physico-chemical parameters and planktons samples were collected in three stations along the course of lower Imo River and were analysed according to standard methods following the procedures outlined by APHA (2012). 7 families and 53 species of phytoplankton were identified while 5 families and 21 species of zooplankton were also recorded. There was an increasing trend in the level of concentrations of physico-chemical parameters but were within the approved limits of standard bodies. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to establish the relationship of planktons to physico-chemical parameters. Its relationship revealed that the planktons interaction between physico-chemical parameters affect their abundance and also show strong correlation of some physico-chemical parameters, which suggest that these parameters are interconnected and rolled out some common data information on plankton species. Evidence from findings of the present study revealed that the physico-chemical parameters has a crucial role to play in the abundance and subsequent distribution of plankton within water biosystem and as such regular monitoring of aquatic biosystem is highly recommended in order to forestall any changes that may lead to disruption in the system.

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