Microbiological characteristics of waters in the major rivers in Kainji Lake National Park

This research work determined the microbiological characteristics of the waters of rivers of Kainji Lake National Park. The implications on public health and aquatic life were also examined. The rivers include: Oli, Manyera, Poto and Nuwanzurugi. Samples were taken twice a year, that is, dry and wet seasons of each year. Standard methods were used for bacteriological examination plating. The results revealed high faecal pollution during the wet seasons. This was confirmed by the presence of the coliforms. Isolates include Pseudomonas spp. Escherichia coli, Acetobacter spp, Maroxalla spp, Bacillus spp, and Klebsiella spp. As a result water of the four rivers in the park is not potable during the wet seasons.Key words: Faecal pollution, bacteriological examination, E. coli, Klebsiella spp, potability

Water quality parameters in the major rivers of Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

This study examined the physical and chemical properties of waters of the major rivers in Kainji Lake National Park for a period of twenty four months. The implications on the public health and aquatic organisms were also determined. The major rivers include; Oli, Manyera, Nuwanzurugi, and Poto. River Oli was sampled at the hippo pools at Kilometers 8 and 12 and two animal drinking points. Other rivers were sampled at two animal drinking points. Standard methods were used to monitor the physical and chemical parameters. Physical parameters that were considered include; temperature, colour, total suspended solid and turbidity. The chemical parameters include hardness, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), iron, manganese, calcium, chloride, nitrate, pH, phosphate, ammonium and electrical conductivity. Seasonal variation appeared to have influence on the physical and chemical parameters. Statistical analysis shows that there were significant differences between sampling points and locations mean values for the different physical and chemical parameters examined. The presence of hippopotamus affected some parameters such as BOD, DO, COD, pH and turbidity significantly. The BOD and COD were strongly, significantly correlated and positively correlated (r = 0.757, P≤0.05). The ammonium and nitrite contents are not significantly correlated but positively and weakly correlated (P<0.05, r = 0.141) between the dry seasons and wet seasons mean values.Key words: Water quality, Oli River, River Nuwanzurugi, River Manyera, River Poto

An observation on the acquisition or loss of trematode (Clinostomum tilapiae) by Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in culture systems

The acquisition or loss of Clinostomum tilapiae parasites by Oreochromis niloticus was studied. Four groups of 25 healthy fishes were stocked in the upper part of serial experimental ponds, while another four groups of 25 infected fishes were also stocked at the rear part of the serial experimental ponds. All the groups were fed at 3% body weight with the same compounded fish feed. Acquisition or loss of parasites and growth was monitored for a period of six months. The mean relative growth rate was 11.04kg/month for the healthy fishes and 5.62g/month for the infected fishes. The mean specific growth rate was 38.75% and 31.25% for the healthy and infected groups respectively. However the results were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The parasite did not multiply on the host body rather the infection rate reduced from 100% to between 44 and 78%, parasite burden was reduced from an average of 3 per fish to 2.25 while the healthy fish acquired the parasite and the average burden was 2.15. The mean values of the prevailing water quality parameters were within the optimum range acceptable in fish culture systems in the tropics

Water Quality Assessment of Eleyele Dam, Ibadan,South-Western, Nigeria

Eleyele Dam water is abstracted by the Oyo State Water Corporation at Eleyele Treatment Works for treatment and supply of   potable water to Ibadan’s people. The dam is exposed to flooding (Adeleru, 2017) and also polluted by human and industrial activities within the metropolis.  This paper assessed the quality of the water samples taken along the course of the dam. The samples were examined for physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters using standard procedures. (APHA, 2005)The result showed a high concentration of Alkalinity, Hardness, Bacteriological, and Heavy Metal Contaminants (Lead and Iron), when compared with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON,2007) quality standards for drinking water. The high concentration of Contaminants calls for great attention because inadequate water treatment before human consumption   could result in the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and result in a public health concern.The study recommends that the dam should be protected from flooding, human and industrial activities. Proper and adequate water treatment should be ensured before supply to the metropolis. Keywords: Water Quality, Heavy Metal, Contaminant

X-Ray Analysis of Igbokoda Sand, Southwestern Nigeria and its Application in Manufacturing and Construction Industries

Soils that appear whitish in colour is generally believed to contain mineral called quartz. Quartz is a metamorphic rock which is beneficial to manufacturing and construction industries. This quartz has been discovered in Igbokoda area of Ondo state, south western Nigeria. This study confirmed and examined the nature and abundance of quartz found in the study area for the purpose of recommendation to manufacturing and construction industries. Soil samples were collected within the area and examined. Geotechnical and x-ray analyses were conducted on the sample. A Phillip 71011 Goniometer at 55MA and 40KV was used to X-ray the sample at 2o/2θ/min/cm. The radiation and filter used were Copper and Nickel respectively. The specific gravity obtained classified the sample as sandy soil; the grain size distribution result according to AASHTO classified the sample as fine sand. The X-ray result confirmed that Quartz is the most abundant mineral in the sample with peak value of wavelength at 4.33Ao, 3.56Ao, 3.43Ao, 2.43Ao, 2.28Ao, 2.25Ao, 2.10Ao, 1.97Ao. Also, Kaolinite and Vermiculite traces appeared at 6.81Ao and 11.05Ao respectively. It was established that Igbokoda sand is dominated with quartz. It is therefore recommended that industries like fabricating industries can be located around the area to tap the mineral as raw material. The soil in the area is also suitable as sub base material in road construction

Selectivity of three aquatic weeds as diet for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

A total of sixty juvenile Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) were fed three species of aquatic weed, namely Azolla filiculoides (water fern), Elodea sp. and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) to determine which of the weeds will be selectively consumed, and preferred of all. A control group of twenty Nile tilapia was fed compounded feed. The selectivity of the weeds was observed based on their utilization as food source, and Azolla filiculoides was found to be highly utilized, followed by Elodea sp. and the roots of Pistia stratiotes. The growth response of the fish to the diets was found to be highest for fish fed compounded feed followed by Azolla filiculoides and Elodea sp., while Pistia stratiotes produced a negative growth trend. It is therefore postulated that Azolla filiculoides and Pista sp. are good feedstuffs for O. niloticus especially when used together with other feedstuff

Effect of semen extenders on the motility and viability of stored African Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) spermatozoa

This study assessed the effects of common extenders and diluents on the spermatozoa of African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ), with the intent of obtaining a semen preservation protocol that can serve as a means of making fingerlings available to fish farmers all year round. Semen samples (milt) were pooled from mature broodstock males and pre-extension qualities were evaluated. Egg yolk, tomato juice and sodium citrate buffers were combined in four different trials and used to preserve obtained semen at temperatures of 5\ub0C and -40\ub0C for 8 days and 4 weeks respectively in different trials. Motility indices of extended, preserved, refrigerated and frozen semen were used to analyze the effect of the various combinations. Forward, progressive and rectilinear motion was employed as a significant measurement of the livability of extended sperm cells and the efficacy of the extender solution. The result of the study showed that the buffer (sodium citrate) on its own performed excellently well (sperm motility was 85%) in enhancing survival within the first 24-48 hours post extension; Semen extended with 20% tomato juice gave the best survival rate when stored at 5\ub0C, because the sperm cells were still viable by day 6 post- extension. Extender containing 20% egg yolk gave 70% motility while that containing 10% egg yolk mixed with 10% tomato juice gave 60% motility. However, motility decreased progressively as the period of storage increased. The results of the effect of freezing (at -40\ub0C) on motility revealed that no motility was observed in all the cryopreserved trials except the sample containing 10% egg yolk and 10% tomato juice, which recorded 10% post-thaw motility

Histopathology of Tilapia tissues harbouring Clinostomum tilapiae parasites

Tissues obtained from infected Oreochromis niloticus were processed sectioned and stained with haemotoxylin and eosin. Good sections were selected, studied and photographed. The histopathology revealed a proliferation of eosinophiles at the secondary lamellar of the gills. The site of attachment on the fish skin showed the cyst to be double walled, the metacercariea is suspected to produce this cyct as a form of defensive mechanism to wall off and prevent dislodgement. Other tissues did not show observable lesions

Carcass traits and relative organ weights of growing rabbits fed graded levels of processed kola nut (Cola nitida) pod husks

Carcass traits and relative organ weights of growing rabbits fed graded levels of processed (ash treated and rumen liquor fermented) kola nut (Cola  nitida) pod husks (PKPH) were investigated. One hundred and twenty (120) weaner rabbits of mixed breeds (New-Zealandwhite × Chinchilla) of equal sexes and average body weight 525.46g were randomly allotted to four (4) dietary treatments at 0 (0.00 % PKPH), 10 (10 % PKPH), 20 (20 % PKPH), and 30 % (30 % PKPH) inclusion levels and designated as diets 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Each treatment group was replicated ten (10) times with three (3) rabbits per replicate and was fed ad-libitum for 56 days. The highest slaughter weight (1813.80 g/r), dressing weight (1068.70 g/r) and dressing percentage (58.54 %) recorded in rabbits fed diet 3 (20% PKPH) were similar to those fed the control diet (0 % PKPH) and diet 2 (10% PKPH)  but was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed diet 4 (30 % PKPH). The lungs, liver, kidney, heart, and spleen of the rabbits fed dietary treatments were not significantly influenced. It was concluded that processed kolanut pod husk had no deleterious effect on carcass and relative organs weight of weaner rabbits. Keywords: Kolanut pod husk, Carcass traits, rabbits, rumen liquor, as

Effect of temperature on spoilage of fresh and frozen fish sold in markets in Ibadan

The study determined the progression of spoilage in response to temperature and also ascertained the wholesomeness of fish offered for sale at different times of the day from selected markets in Ibadan. Fresh and frozen fish were bought from Sango and Bodija markets in Ibadan,the temperature was recorded and the samples were transported in a Coleman cooler to the laboratory for further analysis. Upon arrival, the temperature was again recorded and samples were exposed to different environmental temperatures; assessment for spoilage was conductedon the fish samples at 3 hourly intervals thereafter. Assessment was based on physical appearance of fish and enzyme analysis through measurement of changes in trimethylamine (TMA) concentration in fish muscles using picrate method. Chemical analysis showed progressive rise in TMA during storage. TMA values revealed no statistically significant (p=0.99) difference at