Fluxes of Physicochemical Parameters in The Cross River Estuary, Nigeria

Abstract

Godwin Amu Otogo, Francis Emile Asuquo, Edak Agi-Odey

Study on the fluxes of physicochemical parameters and nutrients in the Cross River estuary ecosystem was under taken between June, 2016 and April, 2017. Field data were collected bimonthly at five stations and analysed both insitu and in the laboratory using standard methods. The monthly mean surface water temperature ranged from 26.68±0.74 OC in June 2016 to 33.6±7.84 OC in October 2016, salinity ranged from 0.10±0.12 ‰ in October 2016 to 10.20±2.80 ‰ in March 2017, and DO from 2.740±0.563 mg/l in June 2016 to a maximum of 5.340±2.152 mg/l in January 2017. Values obtained for PO4 , SO4 , NO3 , DO, and BOD in this study were below the permissible limits [1]. There was significant (p < 0.05) temporal variation in all the parameters studied (PO4 , NO3 , SO4 , DO, BOD5 , salinity, temperature and transparency). There was no significant (p > 0.05) spatial variation in PO4 , NO3 , SO4 , temperature and transparency. Parameters studied showed both positive and negative correlations. The implications of these findings are discussed.

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