Author(s): Alinnor IJ, Ayuk AA and Igbomezie MC

Abstract: The heavy metals in water and fish samples from Oguta Lake were studied. The elements studied were Pb, Hg, Cr, Cd and Cu. Three water samples and three samples of different fish species were collected from different locations in the lake. The water and fish samples were analysed for heavy metal using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The heavy metals Pb and Cr were identified in appreciable amounts in fresh fish species Clarias anguillaris of mean values 36.00 mg/kg and 4.34mg/kg, respectively. The accumulation of copper in fish species Protopterus annectens and Clarias anguillaris were of mean values 30.10mg/kg and 22.31mg/kg, respectively. The levels of elemental contaminants Pb, Cr, Cd and Cu from the water samples have mean values 0.740mg/L, 0.413mg/L, 0.106mg/L and 0.280 mg/L, respectively. The level of accumulation of copper in different fish species were in the order:- Protopterus annectens > Clarias anguillaris > Sarotherodon galilaeus > Clarias submarginatus > Chysichthys nigroiditaus. A lot of activities go on at Oguta lake including artisans that discharge their waste into the lake and inhabitants depend on the lake for fishing and other domestic uses. In view of this, there is a need to determine the level of pollution of the lake. This study is aimed at determining the level of heavy metal toxicants in fish and water samples from the lake. The effect of these elemental contaminants and the associated health hazards were examined.

Pages: 659-664  |  1429 Views  128 Downloads

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