The Influence of Abattoir Wastes on Macroinvertebrate Distribution in River Idemili, Obosi, South-Eastern Nigeria

The influence of abattoir wastes on macroinvertebrates distribution in River Idemili, South-Eastern Nigeria, was studied. Three sampling stations 1, 2 and 3 representing upstream of the impacted site, impacted site and downstream of the impacted site respectively were selected. The water quality characteristics, which were significantly different (p0.05) in the levels of pH and nitrate-nitrogen among the study stations. Thirteen taxa composed of 201 individuals were encountered. Station 1 had the highest taxa (13) species, as well as the number of individuals (92, 45.8%), followed by station 3 with 12 species and 64 (31.8%) individuals. Station 2 had the least diversity and abundance of 6 species composed of 45 (22.4%) individuals. Macroinvertebrate abundance in the study stations were significantly different (p