article · Asian Journal of Basic Science & Research
Human activities increasingly degrade wetlands, requiring regular assessments of water quality for sustainable environmental management. Diatoms serve as biological markers to evaluate aquatic ecosystems. A study conducted across three rivers in Nkwen, Bamenda, between July 2023 and June 2024, collected and analysed periphytic diatoms by scraping samples for laboratory evaluation. The findings revealed varying conditions among the studied waterways: the first river displayed average ecological quality with an index of 5.11, while the second river showed poor ecological quality with an index of 5.62. Conversely, the third river presented very good ecological quality with an index of 2.17. Public authorities and local councils need to implement measures to restore the degraded river and continue ecological monitoring using diatoms to maintain hydro-system balance.
Human actions threaten wetland ecosystems and freshwater resources. Using microscopic algae known as diatoms provides an effective biological indicator to evaluate water health. Identifying which specific rivers suffer from poor conditions enables local authorities and environmental managers to target restoration efforts and protect vital aquatic habitats from further degradation.
This research provides applied ecological monitoring data relevant to local government authorities, environmental regulators, and river basin managers. It demonstrates a biological monitoring approach for evaluating freshwater systems. The work represents an applied field assessment rather than a commercial product, though the methodology could inform commercial environmental consulting services or municipal water monitoring programmes.
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Anthropogenic activities more and more degrade wetlands. The management of these wetlands involves analyzing the ecological quality of the water. Diatoms constitute a biological marker widely used in the assessment of waters. The objective of the study was to determine the water quality of the Nkwen rivers by diatom index with a view to their sustainable management. The study took place in 3 rivers from July 2023 to June 2024. Periphytic diatoms were sampled in these rivers by scraping and taken to the laboratory for analysis. It emerged that river 1 was of average quality with an index of 5.11. River 2 was of poor ecological quality with an index of 5.62. River 3 was of very good ecological quality with an index of 2.17. Measures should be taken by public authorities and the council to restore the degraded river 2 and monitor these watercourses using ecological methods by Diatoms to maintain the balance of these hydro-systems.
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DOI: 10.38177/ajbsr.2025.7106
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