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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Effects of the urbanization gradient on water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates in the lakes of Bongouanou (Côte d’Ivoire)
Authors
Fato Edouard Motchié, Affoué Danielle Kouamé Ouanko, Enoutchy Fabrice Bouah, Bi Gnamien Willy Taunin Gooré
Abstract
Urbanization is a
major driver of degradation of continental aquatic ecosystems. This study
assessed the effects of the urbanization gradient on water quality and the
structure of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in three lakes of the
Bongouanou Department (Côte d’Ivoire): Sokotè, Kaby, and Ehuikro. Environmental
variables of the water (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, depth,
transparency, orthophosphates, and nitrates) as well as habitat characteristics
were measured monthly from May 2017 to April 2018. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled using
a Van Veen grab, while those associated with macrophytes were collected using a
dip net and identified at the generic level. The results revealed marked
contrasts among the lakes. The urban lakes Sokotè and Kaby exhibited high
conductivity and nutrient concentrations, associated with low dissolved oxygen
levels, low water transparency, and shallow depths. In contrast, the peri-urban
Lake Ehuikro was characterized by deeper, better oxygenated, and more
transparent waters, with low nutrient concentrations. A total of 75 benthic
macroinvertebrate taxa were recorded, with higher taxonomic richness in Lake
Ehuikro (52 taxa). The communities of Sokotè and Kaby were dominated by
pollution-tolerant taxa, whereas Lake Ehuikro was dominated by
pollution-sensitive taxa. Redundancy analysis highlighted strong relationships
between macroinvertebrate distribution and environmental variables, emphasizing
the impact of urbanization on the ecological quality of lakes.
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Pages:19-25
How to cite this article:
Fato Edouard Motchié, Affoué Danielle Kouamé Ouanko, Enoutchy Fabrice Bouah, Bi Gnamien Willy Taunin Gooré "Effects of the urbanization gradient on water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates in the lakes of Bongouanou (Côte d’Ivoire)". International Journal of Environmental and Ecology Research, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 19-25
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