Distribution and Significance of Epipsammic Algae in the Coastal Shore (Ibeno Beach) of Qua Iboe River Estuary, Nigeria

The distribution of epipsammic phytoplankton in the coastal shore (Ibeno beach) of Qua Iboe River estuary was studied in the early summer (between October and December) of 1998. The results revealed the presence of Actinoptychus undulatus, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Astasia fustis, Chromulina globosa, Cocconeis pediculus, Cymatopleura solea, Cymbella lanceolata, Euglena intermedia, Lyngbya majusculata, Microcystis sp., Nodularia spumigena, Navicular rhynocephala, Oscillatoria nigroviridis, Pinnularia viridis, Rhoicosphenia curvata, Trachelomonas volvocina and Urceolus cyclostomus in the sandy beach. The mean species density of the epipsammic algae encountered in the beach ranged from 16 to 7600 organisms per hectare. The density, however, decreased with increase in sampling distance from the low tide level. Actinoptychus undulatus was the most abundant and widely distributed phytoplankton while Aphanizomenon flos-aquae was the least encountered species. The occurrence of A. flos-aquae and other toxin producing cyanobacterial species of Lyngbya majusculata, Microcystis sp., N. spumigena and O. nigroviridis in the sandy beach are of serious health significance.