A First Survey of Phytoplankton Community Richness in Lamingo Reservoir, Jos, Nigeria: A Wake-up Call for the Continuous Monitoring of Microalgae in surface Waters Serving as Drinking Water Sources in Nigeria.

Abstract

Lamingo reservoir was investigated twice (one week apart) during the month of May 2011 in order to document a preliminary inventory of phytoplankton occurring in the system. Physico-chemical parameters (i.e. temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrate-nitrogen and phosphate-phosphorus) were equally monitored. 22 species of diatoms, 18 species of green algae, 9 species of blue-green algae, and 5 species of dinoflagellates were recorded in samples collected from the reservoir. The cyanobacteria group included the potentially harmful genus Microcystis. A suggestion is made for the continuous monitoring of surface drinking water sources in Nigeria if a good-status water body is desired for the systems. [Cyril C. Ajuzie. A First Survey of Phytoplankton Community Richness in Lamingo Reservoir, Jos, Nigeria: A Wake-up Call for the Continuous Monitoring of Microalgae in surface waters serving as drinking water sources in Nigeria. New York Science Journal 2012;5(2):1-8]. (ISSN: 1554-0200).