African Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0786
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJEST
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 1128

Full Length Research Paper

Physicochemical influence on the spatial distribution of faecal bacteria and polychaetes in the Densu Estuary, Ghana

Akita L. G.
  • Akita L. G.
  • Department of Marine and Fisheries, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
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Laudien J.
  • Laudien J.
  • Alfred Wegner Institute Helmholtz Centre of Polar and Marine Research, Am Alten Hafen 26, 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany.
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Akrong M.
  • Akrong M.
  • CSIR-Water Research Institute, P. O. Box M 32, GP-018-964, Accra, Ghana.
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Biney C.
  • Biney C.
  • Ecosystem Environmental Solutions Limited, GD-213-5404, Accra, Ghana.
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Nyarko E.
  • Nyarko E.
  • Department of Marine and Fisheries, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
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Addo S.
  • Addo S.
  • Department of Marine and Fisheries, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
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  •  Received: 28 February 2020
  •  Accepted: 02 April 2020
  •  Published: 30 June 2020

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems are increasingly impacted by man-made disturbances including pollution from agriculture, aquaculture and municipal waste. This study employed multiple ecological indicators to assess environmental quality of the Densu Estuary and understanding of environmental controls on the spatial distribution of organisms. Physicochemical parameters were measured in situ. Water and sediment samples were collected from ten stations and analysed for nutrients, total suspended solids and organisms using standard methods. The water quality index for the Densu Estuary ranged from 359.5 to 484.4, suggesting an unhealthy ecosystem. The abundance of indicator species, e.g. faecal bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus species) and polychaetes (Capitella and Nereis species) varied significantly (p<0.05) among stations. Contaminated sites are located landwards with high human impacts. Faecal bacteria and polychaete abundance correlated significantly (p<0.05) with the respective physicochemical parameters. Canonical analysis (74.11%) showed the physicochemical influence on the spatial distribution of species. The pH significantly (p<0.05) controlled the spatial distribution of faecal bacteria and polychaetes in the Densu Estuary. The results suggest environmental pollution in the Densu Estuary, useful baseline information for effective legislation towards its sustainable management.

 

Key words: Biological indicators, water quality index, pollution, estuarine ecology, Densu Estuary.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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