ABSTRACT

Ten water samples and five fish species comprising forty-eight samples were collected from River Benue and analyzed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals. respectively. The water which showed low pollution levels due to nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus compounds was also found not to be thermally polluted. The heavy metal levels in fish were found to be in the order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Co> Cd. The mean Zn concentrations in Jdg/g ranged froiri 4664 ± 446.35 in Clarias lazera Ia 5013.37 + 63.$ in Chrysichihys nigrodigilaliis. Mean Cu concentrations ranged from 14.63 ± 2.45 in  Chiysichlhys nigro(Jlg!IaIUs to 30.9 ± 12.95 in Orcochroinis nilolicu.v while the least metal levels in fish were those of Cd which ranged from 1 .38 + 0.69 in C ilr)sichllils nigrodigilalus to 2.8 ± 2.09 in Eulropius flh/GIWUS. [he concentrations ol Pb in ( 'br/n.y lazera and Eut ropius nilolicus was significantly higher (P >0.05) than the concentrations obtained in the other fish species. Similarly, the one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference (P>0.05) between concentrations of Co in C/arias la:cra and Eiii'ropiii.r niloticus. A similar level of significance was observed for Cd. (P>0.05) in respect of the two fish species. It was recommended for FEPA and other agencies to update their water quality standards to reflect current trends in industrialization so as to enable Water Boards improve on existing treatment programmes. It was also recommended that the research be extended to cover fish from other water bodies so as to allow thr a comparison between heavy metal pollution of fish in River 13enue and that of such waterbodies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Front Cover Text - - - - - - - -

Title Page - - - - - - - - ii

Certification - - - - - - - - iii

Declaration - - - - - - - - - iv

Dedication - - - - - - - - V

Acknowledgements - - - - - - vi

Table of Contents - - - - - - - vii

List of Tables - - - - - - - - viii

Abstract - - - - - - - - ix

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Preamble -

1.2 Scope - -

1.3 Justification

1.4 Objectives -

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Basis for studying water - - - - - 4

2.2 Types and sources of water pollutants - - - 5

2.3 Physicochemical Parameters of water - - - - 9

2.4 Toxic effects of Heavy metals in Aquatic systems - - 1 5

2.5 Heavy Metals in Fish - - - - - IS

CHAPTER 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Sampling programme for water - - - - 27

3.2 Determination of Physicochemical parameters of water - - 27

3.3 Sampling for Fish - - - - - 31

3.4 Treatment of Fish sample - - - - - - 32

3.5 Data Analysis - - - - - - - - 32

CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4. 1 Results fin

4.2 Discussions 39

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5 1 Conclusions - 48

5.2 Recommendations 49

References - - - - - - - - 50