Chukwuka C Obi 2,* , Victor N Enwemiwe 1 , Ebenezer O Ayoola 3 , Eric Esiwo 1 , Scholastica I Atisele 4 and Treasure E Oborayiruvbe 1
1Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria 2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Nigeria 3Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, College of Environmental Resources Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria 4Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
*Corresponding author: chukszone1@gmail.com
Snails are considered vectors of schistosomiasis due to their contribution in facilitating the expression of this disease of public health concern in Nigeria. The physicochemical characteristics of the water of the snail breeding site were assessed in order to inform the design of control interventions in Ndokwa West communities. Water and snails were sampled from Umoni, Ase, and Adofi rivers as well as from Atama and Atuode streams, within six months (May and October 2017) using standard protocols. Results showed that temperature was within tolerable level for snail survival (between 18.3°C and 26.8°C), rivers and streams were more of shallow depth (0.43 and 1.65m) and slightly turbid (1.73 and 8.33NTU), conductivity was low (20.9 and 49.9µs/cm), hydrogen ion concentration was between moderate and slightly alkaline (7.3 and 8.4), dissolved oxygen (4.7 and 8.1) was high. Nitrate and Phosphate were between 0.6 and 8.4, and 0.3 and 0.9, respectively. The differences between air and water temperature, depth, turbidity, conductivity, and nitrate were significantly different (P<0.05) compared to others. The physicochemical qualities of these water bodies were at optimum for snail abundance and distribution, and the plant species supported snail abundance and distribution. In conclusion, concerted efforts should be geared towards the manipulation of the physicochemical parameters of snail breeding sites to reduce the infectivity rate of schistosomiasis in the area.