Heavy Metals and Physicochemical Parameters Evaluation in the Upper Reaches of Bonny River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to determine distribution of heavy metal contamination in water, sediments and biota (Callinectes amniciola) of the upper reaches of the Bonny Estuary and to determine the impact on physicochemical characteristics of the water body. Sampled was from January to June 2020. The physicochemical parameters of the water varied slightly across the months but were within FEPA/WHO (2003) acceptable limits. Furthermore; the study compared the seasonal variations and determination of Bio-accumulation Factor (BF) of C. amnicola with respect to sediment. The study site is a tidal creek that drains into the main Bonny River channel within Niger Delta, Nigeria. The sampled locations/stations include Trans-Amadi slaughter in Azuabie {N4°81'49.9 and E7°04'63.4}, Okpoka Creek in Abuloma {N4°78'02.43 and E7°06'66.12} and Okirika Jetty {N4°73'70.04 and E7°09'56.93}. Samples of surface water, sediments and swimming crabs were collected from three different stations which were at least 1000 meters apart. The results of this study show that concentrations of the heavy metals (Fe and Zn) were both higher in the three media than the approved limits prescribed by the local regulatory authority. Although Cu was relatively within acceptable limit in the three media. There is therefore the need to control the anthropogenic activities within or around the river. This will help to prevent effluent and solid waste discharges that lead to increase in the concentration of heavy metals in the aquatic environment. Routine monitoring should be encouraged to identify the major sources of heavy metals introduction into the river and their impacts on the aquatic resources.

Assessment of Physicochemical and Microbiological Qualities of Potable Water Sources in Okorenkoko, Delta State Nigeria

“…These were attributed to seepages and run-offs from an impacted environment. These findings corroborate the report of Akankali et al (2019) whose investigation identified the role of the industrial activities on the le vel of water pollution. Metals are naturally occurring substances in the soil; their presence have been attributed to physical and biological activities one of which is weathering and geochemical activities.…”

Distribution of Toxic Metals in Biota, Sediments and Water from a Polluted Mangrove Swamp in Rivers State

“…An earlier study by [32] also reported a deviation in salinity from the usual downstream increase in salinity in brackish water. Studies on other water bodies in the Niger Delta have also reported a similar trend in the salinity variations [33,34] recorded seasonal change in the salinity with low dry season values to wet season values and attributed it to a higher rate of surface water evaporation due to extreme sunshine. High precipitation could cause estuarine waters to dilute and thereby reduce salinity at a different time interval [35] (Okonkwo et al, 2021).…”

Environmental stewardship: A systematic scoping review

“…The outcomes for environmental stewardship efforts towards public natural resources, such as waterways, coastal and marine environments and public managed lands were to protect, conserve, restore or sustainably manage the resources [e.g. 48 – 51 ]. The outcomes for environmental stewardship efforts in urban areas were to protect, conserve or restore natural resources found in these areas [e.g.…”

“…In marine and coastal (public natural resources) contexts, values, social norms, attraction to marine wildlife and self-identity as a local were related to participation in stewardship actions [ 50 , 95 ]. Identity, values, norm beliefs, knowledge, age, education levels, economic circumstances, fishing experience and local environmental conditions were some of the factors that influenced the willingness of anglers to participate in fishery conservation actions [ 48 , 64 , 96 , 97 ]. Emotional attachment to place, values and past experiences are important drivers for waterways stewardship actions [ 98 , 99 ].…”