Macroinvertebrate community structure and biomonitoring of pollution in Thomas Reservoir, Kano State, Nigeria: Implications for sustainable management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21839/jaar.2025.v10.9687Keywords:
Benthic macroinvertebrates, Water quality assessment, Tubificidae, BMWP score, Tropical reservoirs, Pollution biomonitoringAbstract
This study assessed water quality in Thomas Reservoir, Nigeria, using macroinvertebrate communities as bioindicators from May 2019 to February 2020. Four sampling sites (A-D) representing varying anthropogenic impacts were examined using an Ekman grab and hand net collections. During the research, 2,086 individuals from 14 families and 17 species across three phyla (Annelida, Mollusca, and Arthropoda) were identified. Dominant taxa included pollution-tolerant Tubifex sp. (13.66%) and Chironomus sp. (11.27%), while sensitive Ameletus sp. showed minimal abundance (0.48%). Spatial analysis revealed the highest diversity at Site A (Shannon H’=0.367) and the lowest at Site C (H’=0.004), corresponding with pollution gradients from agricultural (Site A) and domestic (Site C) sources. The Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) score of 69 classified the reservoir as Class III “moderately impacted”, supported by low Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) values (0.08-0.20). Seasonal variations showed 62.18% wet-season abundance versus 37.82% in dry periods (p<0.05). The prevalence of tolerant taxa (Tubificidae, Chironomidae) alongside depressed Ephemeroptera (7.91%) indicates chronic pollution stress from agrochemicals and detergents. These findings demonstrate the reservoir’s ecological degradation and highlight the utility of macroinvertebrate biomonitoring in Nigerian freshwater systems. Immediate mitigation measures, including riparian buffer establishment and community education programs to restore water quality, were recommended.
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