Study of physico-chemical characteristics of the westernmost part of the barrier Lagoon complex, Western Nigeria

Abstract

Some physico-chemical parameters of Badagry Creek and Ologe Lagoon in the Barrier Lagoon Complex of western Nigerian coastal zone were measured on quarterly basis from June 2011 to May 2012. Water samples were collected and analyzed using standard methods at five stations in each of the two water bodies. A brackish condition was observed in Badagry Creek with salinity range of 2.00 ± 3.8 ‰ to 3.85 ± 4.48 ‰ while entirely freshwater condition was recorded in Ologe Lagoon. Surface water temperature, pH, alkalinity, nitrate and phosphate at every station in the two water bodies were within the normal ranges considered suitable for tropical aquatic life. However, high levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were recorded at a station in Badagry Creek (8.15 ± 1.66 mg/l) and two stations in Ologe Lagoon (16.9 ± 10.46 and 9.40 ± 7.56 mg/l), where untreated municipal wastes are being discharged into the water bodies. These stations also had relatively low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels (3.30 ± 0.22, 1.08 ± 0.96 and 3.68 ± 3.2 mg/l respectively). Relatively high levels of lead were also recorded at these stations (0.50 ± 0.42, 0.85 ± 0.07 and 0.35 ± 0.35 mg/l respectively). The implications of the physico-chemical conditions on bio-communities as well as the imperativeness of regulating the discharge of untreated wastes into the water bodies for their sustainable management and conservation are discussed.

Investigation of phytoplankton distributions in the westernmost part of Barrier-lagoon-complex, Western Nigeria

“…The variability could be as a result of differences in salinity levels and profiles earlier reported from the same study areas of the two water bodies by Yakub et al (2013). The authors recorded estuarine salinity in the entire study area of the Badagry Creek but a spatial salinity gradient from freshwater at stations B1 and B2 to brackish condition at station B5 in Ologe Lagoon.…”

“…The stations B1 and B2 had earlier been reported to have relatively high biochemical oxygen demand and nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) but low dissolved oxygen by Yakub et al (2013). The authors attributed these to degradation of organic rich wastes being discharged into the water body close to these stations.…”

“…Perhaps, although Yakub et al (2013) reported on the physico-chemical parameters of the Badagry Creek and Ologe Lagoon, previous works on assessment of ecological status in the Barrier-Lagoon Complex have been concentrated mostly on the central part particularly the Lagos Lagoon. Considering the high level of human population growth rate with the concomitant increase in anthropogenic influences on coastal ecosystems especially in the western part of Nigeria.…”

The Chemistry and Health Outcomes of Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Leachate: Exposure to E-Waste Is Toxic to Atlantic Killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) Embryos

“…The leachate flow-through contains high concentrations of hazardous organic and inorganic chemicals, including heavy metals and POPs [6] that can contaminate aquatic ecosystems and potentially threaten human health [5,7]. The outflow of these leachate piles serves as historical spawning habitats for several important fisheries, and the associated pollution threatens the existence of these resident aquatic organisms [8]. The early life stages of certain fish species are extremely sensitive to the toxic effects of two major classes of environmental chemicals (i.e., heavy metals and dioxin-like chemicals) found in e-waste leachates [9,10].…”