Pollution assessment of the lower basin of Lakes Kainji/Jebba, Nigeria: heavy metal status of the waters, sediments and fishes

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to examine the heavy metal status of the lower basin of Kainji dam (used for hydroelectricity generation), which includes Lakes Kainji/Jebba, Nigeria, and the potential for human exposure to heavy metals from eating fish caught in the lakes. Water, sediments and fish were sampled from the lakes and evaluated for As, Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V and Zn using the EDXRF technique. Fe and Mn were found to be present at high mean concentrations in the water (13 and 9 microg L(-1)), sediment (7,092 and 376 microg g(-1)) and fish (11.4 and 4.6 microg g(-1)) samples. Sb (3.2 microg L(-1)), Ti (4.1 mug L(-1)), Cr (2.2 microg L(-1)), Co (1.2 microg L(-1)), Cu (1.3 microg L(-1)) and Pb (1.2 microg L(-1)) in the water samples and Sb (29 microg g(-1)), Ti (27 microg g(-1)), V (27 microg g(-1)), Cr (27 microg g(-1)), Co (40 microg g(-1)), Ni (33 microg g(-1)), Cu (25 microg g(-1)), Zn (59 microg g(-1)) and Pb (19 microg g(-1)) in the sediment samples were found to be of medium mean concentrations. The other metals were present at trace levels (<1 microg), including As and Hg in the fish and sediment samples. There was an appreciable increase in metal concentrations in going from the water to the sediment samples. The probable source of the pollutants is anthropogenic, arising from agricultural activities, corrosion/abrasion of the ferrous steel material and additives in the lubricants and insulation used for auxiliary services on the turbine floor of the dam constructed on the lakes. However, natural geological sourcing from the underlying lake rock cannot be totally ignored, particularly the high levels of Fe and Mn in the sediment samples. The potential risk for human exposure to these metals emanates from the fish caught in the lakes and subsequently consumed, as there are already significant levels of these metals in the two fish species analysed, Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Chrysicthys (Chrysicthys auratus).

Environmental Characterization of Lake Ecosystems Located in Serbo Macedonian Massif (FYRM)

“…Lakes represent some of the most versatile and unique ecosystems on Earth, but unfortunately they are also readily affected by various anthropogenic activities [1]. Since lakes are mostly closed or nearly closed systems, lake sediments can be treated as the final recipients of the results of anthropogenic activity within the lake-basin area.…”

Determination of presence and quantification of cadmium, lead and copper in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets obtained from three cold storage plants in the state of Parana, Brazil

“…This is a robust species, presenting high prolificity, resistance to high temperatures and low respiratory demand. It is also a plankton eater, omnivore and mouth brooding fish (BEVERIDGE; BAIRD, 2000; HUET, 1983; KUBITZA, 2000;OSTRENSKY;BOEGUER, 1998;POPMA; MASSE, 1999;TURNER;ROBINSON, 2000).…”

“…This is a robust species, presenting high prolificity, resistance to high temperatures and low respiratory demand. It is also a plankton eater, omnivore and mouth brooding fish (BEVERIDGE; BAIRD, 2000; HUET, 1983; KUBITZA, 2000;OSTRENSKY;BOEGUER, 1998;POPMA; MASSE, 1999;TURNER;ROBINSON, 2000).The relevance of fish as a source of protein is undeniable, and so is its role as an indicator of environmental contamination. Fish are excellent sources for eco-toxicological studies due to their ability of removing, storing and bio-accumulating polluting composts in their organisms (STREIT, 1998).…”

Seasonal monitoring of heavy metals and physicochemical characteristics in a lentic ecosystem of subtropical industrial region, India

“…Particularly, lentic ecosystems are more prone to the problem of water pollution due to low capacity of self-purification and pollutant dispersal Rai 2008b). There are several studies on limnological aspects of the aquatic systems in different parts of the world (Hutchinson 1975;Ravindra et al 2003;Bellos and Sawidis 2005;Singh et al 2005;Okonkwo and Mothiba 2005;Oyewale and Musa 2006;Ouyanga et al 2006;Rai and Tripathi 2009). Oyewale and Musa (2006) provided information on the quality of the water and sediments of Lakes Kainji/Jebba, Nigeria.…”