Mining Pollution and Environmental Responsibility in Freshwater Ecosystems: Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Lokpanta Reservoir, Nigeria

Ajiboye Oyediran; Adiaha Ugwumba

doi:10.21697/seb.5901

Published: 2026-07-29

Mining Pollution and Environmental Responsibility in Freshwater Ecosystems: Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Lokpanta Reservoir, Nigeria

Ajiboye Oyediran

, Adiaha Ugwumba

Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/seb.5901

Abstract

Lokpanta Reservoir, located in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, represents an example of a freshwater ecosystem affected by increasing anthropogenic pressure. Crop farming and stone mining activities influence water quality, aquatic biodiversity, and the relationship between local communities and their natural environment. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between physico-chemical parameters of the surface water and spatial abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates (BMs) of the reservoir at five stations. Physico-chemical parameters were determined while BMs were collected using 0.6m² Van veen grab and their identification was done using standard guides. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA while Shannon-Wiener index was applied for BMs and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for relationships between the variables. The levels of physico-chemical parameters including nitrate, phosphate and heavy metals were more in Station 4 (mining pit). Spatial variations were significant for most parameters except temperature and phosphate. Shannon-Wiener diversity index showed 1.63 at inlet of the reservoir to be moderately polluted. PCA revealed that gastropoda was most sensitive with total hardness, iron, sulphate and DO. The study affirmed metal toxicity in the mining pit station with elevated concentrations of most metals beyond USEPA and NESREA limits which adversely impacted on the BMs diversity and abundance. The findings indicate that Lokpanta Reservoir is significantly affected by anthropogenic pollution. Beyond ecological degradation, these results emphasize the need for responsible management of human activities, protection of aquatic biodiversity, and sustainable approaches that recognize the interdependence between local communities and freshwater ecosystems.

Keywords:

environmental responsibility, human–nature relations, freshwater ecosystems, mining pollution, water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, aquatic biodiversity, sustainable water management, SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

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Oyediran, A., & Ugwumba, A. (2026). Mining Pollution and Environmental Responsibility in Freshwater Ecosystems: Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Lokpanta Reservoir, Nigeria. Studia Ecologiae Et Bioethicae. https://doi.org/10.21697/seb.5901

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