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: 1129

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of water quality in the lower Nyong estuary (Cameroon, Atlantic Coast) from environmental variables and phytoplankton communities’ composition

Anselme Crepin Mama
  • Anselme Crepin Mama
  • Department of Oceanography, Institute of Fischeries and Aquatic Sciences, The University of Douala, Cameroon.
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Gisele Flodore Youbouni Ghepdeu
  • Gisele Flodore Youbouni Ghepdeu
  • Specialized Center for Research on Marine Ecosystems, IRAD Kribi, Cameroon.
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Jules Rémi Ngoupayou Ndam
  • Jules Rémi Ngoupayou Ndam
  • Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon.
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Manfred Desire Bonga
  • Manfred Desire Bonga
  • Department of Oceanography, Institute of Fischeries and Aquatic Sciences, The University of Douala, Cameroon.
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Fils Mammert Onana
  • Fils Mammert Onana
  • Department of Oceanography, Institute of Fischeries and Aquatic Sciences, The University of Douala, Cameroon.
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Raphaël Onguene
  • Raphaël Onguene
  • Department of Oceanography, Institute of Fischeries and Aquatic Sciences, The University of Douala, Cameroon.
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  •  Received: 21 November 2017
  •  Accepted: 22 February 2018
  •  Published: 30 June 2018

Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide a first-hand water quality assessment of the River Nyong estuary, Southern Atlantic coast of Cameroon. Environmental variables and phytoplankton communities were monitored at four surface stations in the estuary for 2 season cycles from 2014 to 2015. A total of 208 species of phytoplankton, belonging to five (5) groups of microalgae, were identified. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index showed a qualitative seasonal difference in composition of the phytoplankton community. Dissolved nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) values showed seasonal fluctuations throughout the sampling period. A ratio appeared high (42.78) in the rainy season and low (5.89) in the dry season, two values corresponding to the change in specific richness (high and low respectively during the major rainy season and the small dry season). The Water Quality Index (WQI) showed that water quality fluctuates from good to bad, in conjunction with biological indicators (Shannon-Weaver, Abundance and Specific richness).

Key words: Quality assessment, Nyong estuary, environmental variables, phytoplankton, water quality index.

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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