Studies on spread of algal species in some fish samples from three water bodies in Zaria-Kaduna state Nigeria

Abstract

Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye due to their microscopic nature. They abundantly inhabit fresh water ecosystems and frequently form blooms in mesotrophic and eutrophic lakes and ponds. Algal blooms usually occur because of the progressive eutrophication of water bodies and excessive proliferation as a result of heavy nutrient leakage in these water bodies. They contain chlorophyll a and account for about 40% of the world’s oxygen production. In this current studies, fish samples were aseptically collected from three water bodies in Zaria local government area of Kaduna state Nigeria namely Bomo lake, Kubanni lake, and Makwaye reservoir during rainy and dry seasons. The fishes were then dissected to remove their guts and subsequently observed under a compound Microscope. Microcystis sp were the predominant algal species found in the gut of Hemichromis guttatus, Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias camerunensis and Clarias anguilaris in both rainy and dry seasons from Bomo and Kubani lakes. Whereas In Makwaye Lake, Microcystis sp. And Cladophora sp. were the major species identified in the gut of Lates niloticus, Clarias jaensis and Oreochromis niloticus for both rainy and dry seasons. These findings suggest a need for regulatory measures to be taken in discharging anthropogenic substances into water bodies around Zaria especially for Bomo Lake, as these discharge leads to algal bloom in water bodies.