Heavy metals accumulation in water, sediment and fish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Sarotherodon melanotheron) at Igbede River, Lagos.
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Date
2015
Authors
Ayoola, S. O.
Taoreed, F. Y
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Faculty of life sciences, University of Benin.
Abstract
The contamination of freshwaters due to several harmful substances, like metals, through inputs from anthropogenic sources, industrial and agricultural activities, domestic sewage, groundwater leaching and runoffs from agriculture has devastating effects on plants and animals. The Igbede River, located around Ojo local council area of Lagos state is one of such fresh water bodies. Investigation into the accumulation of heavy metals in the water, sediment and two fish species (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Sarotherodon melanotheron) from Igbede river in Lagos State, Nigeria between March, 2013 and August, 2013 was carried out in order to ascertain the pollution status of the river. The results revealed different levels of accumulation of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn and Fe in the fish, water and sediment. The results showed that sediment contained a higher concentration of the metals than the water and fish samples with Zn recording the highest value in sediment (68.467±49.524mg/kg) against 43.798 ± 31.875mg/L, 6.367±4.254mg/kg and 3.108±1.869mg/kg in water and the two fish species. Statistical analyses of the mean levels indicated that the distribution of the metals in the samples followed the order Zn>Cu>Fe>Pb>Cd>Cr for sediment; Zn >Cu>Fe>Cr>Pb for water; Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr for Sarotherodon melanotheron. Cd was not detected in water and fish samples. The concentration of Pb, Cd and Cr in water, sediment and fish samples were within limit permitted by Federal Environment Protection Agency (FEPA) and World Health Organization (WHO). However, the concentration of Cu, Zn and Fe in the samples was above the recommended standard which poses threat to human health as well as the living aquatic resources inhabiting this habitat.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Pollution , Heavy metals , Fish , Igbede river , Lagos , Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES
Citation
Ayoola, S.O and Taoreed, F.Y. (2015). Heavy metals accumulation in water, sediment and fish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Sarotherodon melanotheron) at Igbede River, Lagos. Nigeria. Nig. j. life Sc., Vol.5(2), 309-324.