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Browsing Articles by Author "Aremu, M.O"

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    Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water, Fish and Sediments from UKE Stream, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (Department ofChemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria., 2012-09-12) Opaluwa, O.D; Aremu, M.O; Ogbo, L.O; Magaji, J.I; Odiba, I.E; Ekpo, E.R
    The levels of lead, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, cadmium and mercury were determined in various body parts of two species of catfish; Clarias gariepinus and Synodontis schall, water and sediment samples from Uke stream using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) method. The results obtained showed that iron (Fe) had the highest concentration with average of 8.78 mg/g and 7.51 mg/l in sediment and water respectively followed by Zn with 4.79 mg/g (sediment) and 3.19 mg/l (water) while Cd had the lowest concentration of 0.035 mg/g and 0.023 mg/l in the sediment and water respectively. In the two fish species, zinc (0.17 – 3.25 mg/g) was the most highly concentrated in the various matrices while lead (0.011 – 0.031mg/g) was the lowest. Metal levels in the various body parts of the two species of fish studied were found to be more concentrated in either, the head, gills or the intestine. In both species zinc had the widest variability while lead was the least. The metal levels determined in water and sediment are all above the tolerable limits recommended by regulatory bodies which is an indication that this ecosystem is contaminated with heavy metals which would eventually end up in the food chain. The metals determined in various body parts of two species of catfish were below deleterious level; however there is the need for regular monitoring of the heavy metal load in this water body and the aquatic organisms in there because of the long term effects.
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    Assessment of Physicochemical Contaminants in Waters and Fishes from Selected Rivers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria., 2011-04-28) Aremu, M.O; Opaluwa, O.D; Atolaiye, B.O; Madu, P.C; Sangari, D.U
    Levels of physicochemical parameters (pH, phosphate, chloride, nitrate, bicarbonate, turbidity, conductivity, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, temperature, total hardness and total solid) and microbiological properties were determined in the water samples collected from Rivers Doma, Farinruwa and Mada in Nasarawa State, Nigeria using standard analytical techniques. Metals (Na, K, Ni, Cu, Mg, Fe, Ca, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Se, Cr and Mn) were also determined from two different fish species (Tilapia zilli and Clarias lazera) caught from these three rivers using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results of physicochemical analyses showed that phosphate and nitrate ions were not present in the water samples during dry season but present in the wet season. Other physicochemical parameter values fall within WHO standard limits. Microbiological tests revealed that Rivers Doma and Mada were not safe for drinking. Magnesium had the highest concentrations in the bodies of two fish species irrespective of the season when the fish was caught followed by calcium while the least concentrated metal was arsenic. Lead and cadmium in the fish samples were not within the detectable range of AAS. Nickel level in the fish sample from Mada River during dry season exceeded the WHO maximum tolerable limit. Therefore, source protection is proposed for these bodies of water for the benefit of mankind because they were not safe for human consumption.