T.O.T IMOOBE

This study evaluated the quality of borehole water in rural communities of Benin City, Nigeria, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations such as children and infants. Water samples were collected from five borehole locations in the Ogbojobu community and analyzed for both biological and physicochemical parameters. Total coliform counts ranged from non- detectable (0 CFU/100 mL) to 1.0 CFU/100 mL, while fecal coliforms were undetectable across all sites, suggesting minimal microbial contamination. Physicochemical analysis revealed that the pH values of the water were slightly acidic, ranging from 5.60 ± 0.00 to 6.63 ± 0.058, which is at or below the WHO permissible range of 6.5–8.5 for drinking water. Other parameters, including conductivity (14.0–60.0 µS/cm), total dissolved solids (8.0–30.0 mg/L), turbidity (0.0– 2.0 NTU), hardness, alkalinity, chloride, phosphate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper, were measured with significant variations observed between borehole sites (p < 0.05). Notably, lead and cadmium were not detected in any sample. Given that safe drinking water is critical to the health of vulnerable groups, recent studies have emphasized the disproportionate risks heavy metal exposure poses for children and infants. These findings highlight the need for continued monitoring and targeted public health interventions in rural Nigerian communities to safeguard child and infant health from potential chronic exposure to harmful contaminants

Dipterans are excellent indicators of water quality; hence, they are routinely used as bioindicators during monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. The study was therefore, executed to investigate the physico-chemical water quality and dipteran aquatic insect larvae community. Both water and benthic samples were collected between August 2021 and January 2022 at four designated sampling stations along the Okhuahie River at Ikpe in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, using standard procedures. A total of 22 physiochemical parameters were determined and measured. Among the physical and chemical parameters, Flow rate, Dissolved oxygen, and Phosphate showed highly significant differences (P<0.001) across the stations. A total of 3 taxa comprising 857 species were recorded. Abundance was highest in station 3 consisting of 146 individuals and the lowest in station 2 consisting of 77 individuals. The dominant taxon is Chironomid (98%), Culex (1.2%) and Tanyderidae (0.3%). Culex consisted of just 1 species and 11 individuals, Tanyderidae of 1 species and 3 individuals, whereas Chironomid comprised 5 species and 843 individuals. The diversity indices showed that station 3 was more diverse followed by station 4, while dipteran species in station 2 was least diverse. Culicidae and Tanyderidae showed positive critical correlation to sulphate and turbidity. The overall abundance showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) for all the four station. This study proved that Okhuaihe River is unperturbed and the Dipteran encountered are characteristics of a tropical freshwater habitat.

This study was conducted in Eruvbi stream, Benin City Edo State, Nigeria, aimed at investigating community structure of cladocerans in Eruvbi stream. The sampling period was carried out from the early dry season in march 2023 to the early rainy season period of My 2023.Three sampling stations were selected. Water samples were collected in 3 replicates monthly. Fifteen (15) Physico-chemical parameters including, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate (NO3), Suphate (SO4), Phosphate (PO4), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mn) were analyzed using standard methods. Phosphate and Nitrate were the only two Physico-chemical parameters with significant difference(p<0.05) among all the physicochemical Parameters of the stations. Seven Species were uncovered within the Eruvbi stream wiz; Alonella excise, Bosmina longirostris, Moina
micrura, Pleuroxus hamatus hamatus, Acroperus harpae and moina macrocopa, Amongst which station two results appeared to have the highest diversity and evenness, while Station 1 has the lowest diversity but relatively even distribution of species. Station 3 falls in between in terms of diversity and evenness. Thus, the findings of the research study provides crucial in understanding the health and ecological dynamics of the Ervubi stream and may have
implications for conservation and management efforts.

Dipterans are excellent indicators of water quality; hence, they are routinely used as bioindicators during monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. The study was therefore, executed to investigate the physico-chemical water quality and dipteran aquatic insect larvae community. Both water and benthic samples were collected between August 2021 and January 2022 at four designated sampling stations along the Okhuahie River at Ikpe in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, using standard procedures. A total of 22 physiochemical parameters were determined and measured. Among the physical and chemical parameters, Flow rate, Dissolved oxygen, and Phosphate showed highly significant differences (P<0.001) across the stations. A total of 3 taxa comprising 857 species were recorded. Abundance was highest in station 3 consisting of 146 individuals and the lowest in station 2 consisting of 77 individuals. The dominant taxon is Chironomid (98%), Culex (1.2%) and Tanyderidae (0.3%). Culex consisted of just 1 species and 11 individuals, Tanyderidae of 1 species and 3 individuals, whereas Chironomid comprised 5 species and 843 individuals. The diversity indices showed that station 3 was more diverse followed by station 4, while dipteran species in station 2 was least diverse. Culicidae and Tanyderidae showed positive critical correlation to sulphate and turbidity. The overall abundance showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) for all the four station. This study proved that Okhuaihe River is unperturbed and the Dipteran encountered are characteristics of a tropical freshwater habitat.

This study was conducted in Eruvbi stream, Benin City Edo State, Nigeria, aimed at investigating community structure of cladocerans in Eruvbi stream. The sampling period was carried out from the early dry season in march 2023 to the early rainy season period of My.Three sampling stations were selected. Water samples were collected in 3 replicates monthly. Fifteen (15) Physico-chemical parameters including, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate (NO3), Suphate(SO4), Phosphate (PO4), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mn) were analyzed using standard
methods. Phosphate and Nitrate were the only two Physico-chemical parameters with significant difference(p<0.05) among all the physicochemical Parameters of the stations. Seven Species were uncovered within the Eruvbi stream wiz; Alonella excise, Bosmina longirostris, Moina micrura, Pleuroxus hamatus hamatus, Acroperus harpae and moina macrocopa, Amongst which station two results appeared to have the highest diversity and evenness, while Station 1 has the lowest diversity but relatively even distribution of species. Station 3 falls in between in terms of diversity and evenness. Thus, the findings of the research study provides crucial in understanding the health and ecological dynamics of the Ervubi stream and may have implications for conservation and management efforts