NUTRIENT DYNAMICS OF IMO RIVER ESTUARY, SOUTH EAS'FERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The physical and chemical properties of the lmo River estuary, Southeastern Nigeria
were investigated between April 2001 and June 2002. Variations in water temperature, total dissolved
solids, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate and silicate are reported. With the
exception of dissolved oxygen all parameters were significantly different (P<O.05) in the study stations.
Conductivity was positively correlated with total dissolved solids. The same holds true for phosphate
and ~nitrate. The parameters showed both spatial and tempbral variations. Temperature, TDS,
conductivity, were high during the dry season while nitrate, sulphate, phosphate and silica recorded
high wet season values. Flood influx into the estuary during,the wet season and tidal inflow of seawater
during the dry season were the two major factors that influenced the nutrient dynamics of the lmo
River estuary.