Assessment of Aquatic invertebrates and Water Quality of River Katsina-Ala at Kwanta-Sule, Benue State, Nigeria

The present study focused on aquatic invertebrates and water quality of River Katsina-Ala at Kwata-Sule, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Samples were collected twice in a week for 4 weeks between October and November, 2017 using a 55 µm mesh plankton net. Water quality parameters were determined in-situ and ex-situ using standard procedures. A total of 144 specimens were identified during the study period. They were distributed among 6 classes: Cladocera (46%), Diptera (24%), Copepoda (13%), Ephemerophyta (10%), Arachnida (4%) and Protozoa (3%). The diversity indices were: Shannon-Weiner (2.286), Simpson (0.875) and Margalef (2.213). Mean values of physico-chemical parameters were; temperature (27.23±0.23 0C), dissolved oxygen (5.45±0.00 mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (2.10±0.10 mg/L), pH (7.80±0.01), electrical conductivity (29.75±0.25 µScm-1), transparency (37.06±1.06 cm) and total hardness (0.11±0.00 mg/L). The river contained moderate abundance and varied aquatic invertebrates. The water quality parameters of the study area were favourable for aquatic life to thrive.