Detoxifying effect of Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos on hematological parameters of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos on common carp exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of combined heavy metals (5 ppm) under laboratory conditions. The fish were treated with Nelumbo nucifera (500 mg/kg bwt) and Aegle marmelos (500 mg/kgbwt) for 30 days as a dietary supplement. The blood biochemical parameters of the fish were evaluated by analyzing the level of red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration, glucose, cholesterol, iron and copper. The findings of the present investigation showed significant increase in hemoglobin (p<0.001), RBC (p<0.01) and PCV (p<0.01) of herbal drug-treated groups compared with metal-exposed fish. Conversely, glucose and cholesterol level in blood of common carp showed significant reduction compared with heavy-metal-exposed groups. All the values measured in Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos treated fish were restored comparably to control fish. Our results confirmed that Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos provide a detoxification mechanism for heavy metals in common carp

Relationships Between Heavy Metals in Shrimp ( Macrobrachium felicinum ) and Metal Levels in The Water Column and Sediments of Taylor Creek

Heavy metals in the aquatic environment have todate originated fundamentallyfrom naturally occurring geochemical resources. Nonetheless, this has been enhanced by anthropogenic activities resulting in pollution. Consequently, relationships and partitioning of heavy metals in the dissolved phase, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments and shrimp ( Macrobrachium felicinum ) were investigated in five selected sites along Taylor creek, southern Nigeria. The degree of relationships between the various metals was dissimilar in each of the investigated matrices. In the matrices studied, not several significant relationships (P<0.05) were obtained. Only Ni-Cd (r=0.95), Mn-Cd (r=0.63), Mn-Ni (r=0.64) were associated in the sediments and in SPM, Zn-Ni (r=0.72), which suggests that the sources were not common for both matrices. In the dissolved phase, no strong relationships (P<0.05) between the heavy metals were obvious. The best relationships were observed for Ni-Zn (r=0.72) and Cd-Pb (r=0.65). Partitioning coefficients (Kd) of heavy metals between dissolved phase and SPM were generally low, which is typical for fresh water ecosystems and fairly stable over the creek all through the seasons. Furthermore, the bio-concentration factors (BCFs) of Macrobrachium felicinum were low unlike those of other natural waters. Thus, the physical state of the aquatic ecosystem points to the fact that the heavy metals bio-accumulated by Macrobrachium felicinum give cause for concern when viewed in perspective to community health issues, as the communities along the creek depend directly on shrimps as a protein source

Relationships between heavy metals in the catfish, Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus, water column and sediments of taylor creek, southern Nigeria

Heavy metals in the aquatic environment have to date originated basically from naturally occurring geochemical resources. Nonetheless, this has been enhanced by anthropogenic activities resulting in pollution. Consequently, relationships and partitioning of heavy metals in the dissolved phase, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments and the catfish C. nigrodigitatus were investigated in five selected sites along Taylor creek, southern Nigeria. The degree of relationships between the various metals was dissimilar in each of the investigated matrices. In the matrices, not several significant relationships (PO.05) were obtained. Only Ni-Cd (r=0.95), Mn-Cd (r=0.63), Mn-Ni (r=0.64) were associated in the sediments and in SPM, Fe-Cr (r=0.54) and Zn-Ni (r=0.72), which suggests that the sources were not common for both matrices. In the dissolved phase, no strong relationships (PO.05) between the heavy metals were obvious. The best relationships were observed for Ni-Zn (r=0.72) and Cd-Pb (r=0.65). Partitioning coefficients (£d) of heavy metals between dissolved phase and SPM were generally low, which is typical for fresh water ecosystems and fairly stable over the creek all through the seasons. Furthermore, the bio-concentration factors (BCFs) of C. nigrodigitatus were low unlike those of other natural waters. Conversely, the state of the aquatic ecosystem indicates that the heavy metals could contribute to inferior biodiversity and shifts in community composition from sensitive to tolerant taxa that also signifies that the heavy metals in C. nigrodigitatus exceeded the Risk Based Consumption Limits, based on an adult body weight of 70 kg and 16 Fish Meals/Month, indicating that consumers of C. nigrodigitatus from the creek may be exposed to neurotoxins.Keywords: Cat fish, Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus, heavy metals, Nigeri

Composition and source diagnostics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Elelenwo Creek, southern Nigeria

The survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their relation to potential pollution sources was carried out in sediments from Elelenwo Creek, southern Nigeria. Total PAH concentrations varied from 4238.00 to 5490.84 Bg/g dry weights in sediments. The 2, 3-ring PAHs were not dominant in sediments (22.43%). Of the 2, 3-ring PAHs, the most abundant in the sediments was acenaphthylene. Four origin indices or concentration ratios of PAH isomer pairs were used to evaluate the suitability of these compounds as tracers to distinguish between the contamination arising from different sources. A critical appraisal of PAH indices, therefore, suggested that  combustion processes were the sources of PAH in the sediments. Relative PAH patterns in sediments were also evaluated using principal component analysis, and were found to correlate with the PAH patterns of the different potential contamination sources. This indicates that the PAHs, which are bioaccumulatable, possibly will impact on fauna.Keywords: Creek, sediments, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fauna, Nigeri

Survey of heavy metals in the catfish Synodontis clarias

Elevated levels of heavy metals in the catfish Synodontis clarias can be a good indication of pollution of an aquatic ecosystem due to anthropogenic influence. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and Ni were determined in Synodontis clarias caught along a section of Taylor Creek and its associated tributaries. Samples were collected bimonthly between July 1999 and June 2000 in five stations. The metals: Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb and Mn were recorded in appreciable quantities, signifying their bioavailability. The levels of Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb and Mn may have obvious health implications on the rural communities that depend on fish species as fish supplement in view of its rich protein content and its bio-economic value. Generally, the sources of the metals in the catfish appear to be point and diffuse which include rural and agricultural runoff sources in the catchments area. However, the presence of an oil industry activity (Etelebou oil field and flow station) in one of its tributaries appears to be the major point source of the metal pollutants

Partitioning Characteristics of Heavy Metals in a Non-Tidal Freshwater Ecosystem

Trace metals in the aquatic environment have to date come essentially from naturally occurring geochemical resources. However, this has been enhanced by anthropogenic activities resulting in pollution. Consequently, correlations and partitioning of trace metals in the dissolved phase, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments were investigated in five selected sites along the Taylor Creek, southern Nigeria. The degree of correlations between the various metals was different in each of the investigated matrices. In the matrices studied, not many significant correlations (P<0.05) were recognized. Only Ni-Cd (r=0.95), Mn-Cd (r=0.63), Mn-Ni (r=0.64) are correlated in the sediments and in SPM, Fe-Cr (r=0.54) and Zn-Ni (r=0.72), which suggests that the sources are not common for both matrices. In the dissolved phase, no strong correlations (P<0.05) between the trace metals are obvious. The best correlations are observed for Ni-Zn (r=0.72) and Cd-Pb (r=0.65). Partitioning coefficients (Kd) of trace metals between dissolved phase and SPM aregenerally low, which is typical for fresh water ecosystems and fairly stable over the creek all through the seasons. Thus, the state of the aquatic ecosystem indicates that the trace metals, which are bio-accumulatable, could contribute to inferior biodiversity and shifts in community composition from sensitive to tolerant taxa

Identification of perylene in sediments: Occurrence and diagenetic evolution

Perylene and penta-aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in sediments as part of a study that was dedicated to the aquatic ecosystem of Elelenwo Creek (Southern Nigeria) in order to carry out a critical corroboration of occurrence and diagenetic evolution of perylene in the sediments of the creek. The results show that the annual mean levels of Benzo [g, h, i] Perylene ranged from 209.00 – 245.28 μg/kg dry weight at the various stations sampled. Meanwhile, Station 3 recorded the highest mean level of 245.28 μg/kg dry weight. The observed values for total penta-aromatic hydrocarbons were high (787.00 -1154.36μg/kg dry weight) in all the stations sampled. In addition, the highest mean value of 1154.36μg/kg dry weight was again recorded at station 3 for the penta-aromatic hydrocarbons. One origin index or concentration ratio of Ip/Ip+BghiP was also used to evaluate the suitability of the penta-aromatic hydrocarbons as a tracer to distinguish between contaminations arising from different sources. The values for the sampling stations therefore ranged from 0.41 to 0.43. A critical appraisal of the PAH index, consequently, suggested that petroleum combustion is the major penta-aromatic hydrocarbon source in sediments of the creek. The PAH group profile shows that perylene was high in the sediments and would pose apparent effects in fauna. The high concentration of perylene in the sediments was also indicative of an in situ biogenic derivation. Furthermore, a concentration of perylene > 10 % of total penta-aromatic hydrocarbons established a credible diagenetic origin