Abstract
The elemental contaminants in water and fish samples from Aba river were studied. The elements studied were Zn, Ni, As, Hg, Co and Mn. Three water samples and three samples of different fish species were collected from different locations in the river. The water and fish samples were analysed for elemental contaminants using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The elemental toxicants Zn and Mn were identified in appreciable amounts in fresh fish species namely, Lates niloticus and Oriochronis niloticus, of mean values 8.012 ppm and 0.861 ppm, respectively. The analysis also shows arsenic concentration of mean value 0.01 ppm in Lates niloticus. The analysis of frozen fish samples purchased from the Waterside market located near the river shows Ni and Hg levels of mean values 0.83 ppm and 0.02 ppm, respectively. The levels of elemental contaminants As, Zn, Hg and Mn from the water samples have mean values 0.082 ppm, 11.284 ppm, 0.201 ppm and 1.024 ppm, respectively. There are five industries that discharge waste products into Aba river. In view of this, there is a need to determine the level of pollution of the river, since the inhabitants depend on the river for their drinking water, fishing and other domestic uses. This study is aimed at determining the level of heavy metal toxicants in fish and water samples from the river. The effect of these elemental contaminants and the associated health hazards were examined.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blackwood, W., Mamenency, W.H., Mayer, A., Norman, R.M. and Russell, D.S.: 1965, Queen Field Neuropathology, Edward Arnold Ltd., London.
Cappon, C.J.: 1987, ‘Cadmium and lead in lake Ontario Salmonids’, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 38, 695–699.
Cubie, P.M.: 1977, ‘Mercury levels in Georgia Otter, mink and fresh water fish’, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 17(1), 193–196.
Egborge, A.B.M.: 1988, Environ. Rev. 2, 61–69.
Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA): 1991, Guidelines and Standard for Environmental Pollution Control in Nigeria, p. 27.
Fowler, B.A.: 1977, ‘Toxicology of Environmental Arsenic’, in R.A. Goyer and M.A. Mehlman (eds), Toxicology of Trace Elements, Wiley, New York, pp. 75–90.
Frank, A., Galagan, V., Ross, A., Olsson, M., Peterson, L.R. and Bignert, A.: 1992, ‘Metal concentration in seals from Swedish water’, AMB 1021(6), 529.
Franson, M.A., APHA-AWWA-WPCF: 1989, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 17th ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, DC.
Hammond, P.B.: 1973, Chem. Toxicol. 6, 353.
Heitmuller, P.T., Hollister, T.A. and Parrish, P.R.: 1981, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 7, 596.
Hemmandez, F. and Diaz, J.: 1986, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 36, 851.
Holtzclaw, H.F. and William R.R.: 1988, General Chemistry, 8th ed., Washington, D.C. Health, pp. 783–789.
Hughes, G.M. and Averey, R.J.: 1977, Water Res. 11, 1069.
Irukayama, K.: 1964, ‘Implication of methyl mercury as the Minamata Poison’, Japan J. Hygiene 19, 246.
Jackin, H.: 1974, in F.J. Vernberg and W. D. Keraberg (eds), Pollution and Physiology of Marine Organisms, Academy Press, New York.
Jemelov, A. and Ramel, C.: 1994, ‘Mercury in the environment’, AMB 1023(2), 166.
Kiyoura, R.: 1962, Adv. Water Pollut. 72.
Koli, A.K., Williams, W.R., McClary, E.B, Wright, E.L. and Burrell, T.M.: 1977, ‘Mercury level in fresh water fish of the State of South Carolina’, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 17(1), 82–85.
Kukulu, S.E., Osibanjo, O. and Ajayi, S.O.: 1987, Environ. Int. 3, 247–251.
Kutsuna, M.: 1968, Study Group of Minamata Disease, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Lagerweff, J.U. and Specht, A.W.: 1970, Environ. Sci. Technol. 4, 583–586.
Martin, M.H., Duncan, E.M. and Coughtry, P.J.: 1982, Environ. Pollut. 3/2, 147.
Mathias, B.J. and Kevern, N.R.: 1995, Hydrobiologia 45, 207.
Mombeshira, C., Osibanjo, O. and Ajayi, S.O.: 1988, Environ. Rev. 2, 61–69.
Ndiokwere, C.L. and Ezihe, C.A.: 1988, Environ. Int. 16, 80–85.
Nigeria Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST): 1991, Nigeria’s Threatened Environment, p.84.
Nwaedozie, J.M.: 1998, J. Chem. Soc. Nigeria 23, 21–23.
Obodo, G.A.: 2001, J. Indian Assoc. Environ. Manage. 28, 147–151.
Okoye, B.C.O.: 1991, ‘Heavy metals and organisms in the Lagos Lagoon’, Int. J. Environ. Stud. 57, 285–292.
Okoye, P.A.C., Enemuoh, R.E. and Ogunjiofor, J.C.: 2002, J. Chem. Soc. Nigeria 27(1), 76–77.
Oladimeji, A.: 1986, J. Hydrobiol. 3, 572.
Othmer, K.: 1978a, ‘Health and safety factors, Toxicology’, in Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd ed., Vol. 15, John Wiley and Sons, p. 811.
Othmer, K.: 1978b, ‘Health and safety factors’, Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd ed., Vol. 24, John Wiley and Sons, pp. 835–858.
Othmer, K.: 1978c, ‘Health and safety factors; Environmental considerations’, Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd ed., Vol. 14, John Wiley and Sons, pp. 839–885.
Shimizu, Y.: 1972, Prentice Hall Environmental Chemical Series, pp. 262–276.
Singh, S. and Sahai, S.J.: 1986, Environ. Biol. 7, 107.
Skidmoll, J.K.Q.: 1970, Rev. Biol. 39(B), 227.
Tort, L., Crespo, S. and Balash, J.: 1982, Biochem. Physiol. 72, 145.
Underwood, E.J.: 1977, Trace Elements in Human and Animal Nutrition, Academic Press, London.
Vinikour, W.S., Goldstein, R.M. and Anderson, S.: 1980, Environ. Toxicol. 24, 727–734.
Waldboh, G.L.: 1978, ‘Health Effects of Environmental Pollution’, in B.B. Daniel and A.K. Edward (eds), Environmental Studies. The Earth as a Living Planet, Charles E. Merrir Publ. Co., New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alinnor, I.J. Assessment of elemental contaminants in water and fish samples from Aba river. Environ Monit Assess 102, 15–25 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-1011-3
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-1011-3