Abstract

Phytoplankton is one of the most important primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and is a good indicator of water quality. This research assesses the phytoplankton composition and diversity in Lagos Lagoon from January to October 2017 to understand the impact of physicochemical parameters on phytoplankton dynamics. Independent variables, such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nutrient concentration, and salinity, were evaluated to examine their relationship with phytoplankton density and diversity. Findings reveal significant correlations between water quality parameters and phytoplankton dynamics, with temperature positively influencing growth rates, dissolved oxygen enhancing diversity, and turbidity negatively affecting distribution. Nutrient concentrations altered species composition, while higher salinity levels reduced phytoplankton abundance. These results highlight the importance of maintaining water quality for ecosystem health. Limitations such as relying on one-year data and sampling biases suggest that future studies should incorporate multi-year datasets and advance methodologies for an even deeper understanding. The study will be of benefit to understanding aquatic ecosystem management, further emphasizing the need for sustainable water quality practices.