Ecological perception of fish farmers in Yenagoa Metropolis, Nigeria

The environment plays a keystone role as a hub for biotic and abiotic interaction. Ecological interactions (positive or negative) are reflection of the environmental status quo. Some human activities have grossly infringe on vital components of the ecosystem. A total of 100 questionnaires were administered to fish farmers in Yenagoa metropolis, Nigeria and 80% were retrieved (55% male and 45% female). Furthermore, about 62.50 – 77.50% is with the opinion that temperature, flooding rate, precipitation and pollutants depositions have increased and wind pattern getting warmer, while 43.75 – 52.50% responded that there is change in spawning time, decrease in fish production and juvenile availability, extinction and presence of invasive species. The study confirm the need to adopt multifaceted approaches in sustaining our ecosystem in order to mitigate adverse effects as well as ensure the bioavalability of keystone species

Water quality and proximate analysis of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Amassoma Axis, Nigeria

Surface water harbors several useful aquatic plants. Eichhornia crassipes is an invasive plant found in several aquatic ecosystems in the Niger Delta including rivers, creeks and creeklets. This study investigated the physicochemical and proximate composition of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Amassoma axis, Nigeria. Standard analytical methods were employed for both water quality and proximate analysis. Results showed that the physicochemical properties ranged from 6.910 – 7.350 (pH), 25ºC (temperature), 0.000 – 0.017 mg/l (salinity), 10.333 – 34.333mg/l (total dissolved solid), 25.700 – 40.533 NTU (turbidity), 0.903 - 3.333 mg/l (total hardness), 3.4333 – 5.466 mg/l (total suspended solid), 33.167 – 68.000 µS/cm (conductivity), 0.500 – 3.466 mg/l (chloride), 0.566 – 0.866 mg/l (sulphate), 0.117 – 0.394 mg/l (nitrate), 0.800 – 2.333mg/l (calcium), 0.333 – 0.816mg/l (potassium), 0.533 – 1.310mg/l (sodium), 0.390 – 1.466 mg/l (magnesium), 0.023 – 0.463 mg/l (iron) and 0.003 – 0.023 mg/l (manganese). Proximate composition including moisture content, ash, protein, lipid, fiber and dry matter ranged from 82.733 – 87.760%, 6.216 – 7.700%, 3.656 -5.036%, 1.836 -3.023%, 5.700 – 7.166% and 12.283 -17.300% respectively. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant variations (P<0.05) in all the parameters across the sample batches.  The proximate composition of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun provide vital information that indicates that the plant could be used for the production of value added products such animal feeds and purification of water

Phytochemical assessment of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Nigeria

Eichhornia crassipes is an invasive, free floating aquatic herb with adventurous root system. They constitute nuisance in the water ways. This study evaluated the qualitative phytochemical concentration of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Nigeria. The study found that tannins and alkaloids are high present, glycosides and saponins and flavonoids are moderately present in most of the samples. This study confirms that Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun could be used for antimicrobial and chemotherapeutic agent

A review of the microbial quality of potable water sources in Nigeria

Microbes are ubiquitous and are known to contaminate materials including food and water.  This study reviews the microbial quality of potable water sources in Nigeria. The study found that the microbial quality often exceed World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization allowable limit of 1.0 x 102cfu/ml for potable water and Standard Organization of Nigeria maximum permissible level of 10cfu/ml (total coliform) and 0 cfu/100ml (Thermo tolerant Coliform or E. coli, Faecal streptococcus and Clostridium perfringens spore). However, surface water has high microbial load than the ground water. In packaged water, bottled water has lower microbial diversity and density than the sachet water. The high microbial isolates and load may have contaminated the water from the environment. These microbes found in the drinking water sources are known to cause several diseases conditions. The paper suggests drinking water sources should be properly treated prior to consumption using appropriate method; so as to reduce the occurrence of waterborne disease

Microbiological quality of fermented Cassava Flakes (Gari) sold in Yenagoa, Metropolis, Nigeria

The study investigated the microbial quality of gari (viz yellow and white) sold in five markets of Yenagoa metropolis, Nigeria. Three Fifteen samples of each type of gari were obtained from each market. Microbiological examination of the samples was carried using standard microbiological procedure. Results showed that total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliform and total fungi ranged from 3.848 to 4.973 Log cfu/g, 2.659 to 3.793 Log cfu/g and 3.371 to  3.832 Log cfu/g respectively (yellow gari); 4.206 to 5.206 Log cfu/g, 3.242 to 3.803 Log cfu/g, and 3.887 to 4.145 Log cfu/g respectively (white gari). Analysis of variance of Log coliform forming counts showed that there was no significance difference (P>0.05) among the various markets. The microbial density is within acceptable and tolerable level for ready to eat food. The bacterial species tentatively identified in both gari types include Micrococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, Bacillus and Corynebacterium species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes and E. coli. The fungal species are Aspergillus niger, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Mucor and Penicillium species. Some of these microbes found in gari samples are suspected potential pathogens to human health

Estimation of potential chronic daily intake of heavy metal through consumption of potable water in South-south Nigeria

Industrialization and urbanization has increase the emission of pollutant into the environment; as such sensitive media subject to pollution (water, soil and air) has been infringed upon. Heavy metal is a potential pollutants found in Nigeria water sources. This study assessed the chronic daily intake (CDI) of heavy metal from potable water sources (surface and ground water) in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Secondary data (literatures) were used for the study. The study found the concentration of heavy metals under study to be above the permissible limit recommended by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The CDI of heavy metal for both children and adults were high ranging from 0.57 to 1436.33 μg/kg·day (iron), 0.00 to 323.33 μg/kg·day (zinc), 0.00 to 37.14 μg/kg·day (cadmium), 0.00 to 29.67 μg/kg·day (chromium), 0.00 to 116.67 μg/kg·day (lead), 0.00 to 123.33 μg/kg·day (copper), 0.00 to 21.33 μg/kg·day (nickel) and 0.00 to 78.0 μg/kg·day (manganese). The CDI value indicates that the consumption of these water sources without treatment could cause disease conditions. Hence, the water requires treatment prior consumption

Effects of dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate on the sodium, potassium and calcium content in the kidney and liver of Clarias gariepinus

Dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate is an organophosphorus insecticide used in the control of several plant and animal pests. This study evaluated the effects of dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate on the electrolytes (calcium, sodium and potassium) in the kidney and liver of Clarias gariepinus. The fish samples were purchased from private farm in Aluu Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The fishes were carefully housed to prevent contamination and three different concentrations of the toxicant were prepared i.e. 0.00ppm, 0.10ppm and 0.20ppm. At the end of the experiment (four days), the fishes were dissected and the internal organs i.e. liver and kidney were collected and 0.5g of each macerated, and a few drop of physiological saline added before centrifuging at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. The calcium, sodium and potassium content were analyzed using standard methods. Results showed that calcium, potassium and sodium ranged from 0.80 – 1.40mg/l, 3.80 – 7.10mg/l and 10.20 – 16.40mg/l respectively (Kidney) and 1.00 – 1.13mg/l, 10.60 – 17.73mg/l and 6.80 – 12.80 mg/l respectively (liver). With the exception of calcium there was significant variations (P<0.05) among the various concentrations of sodium and potassium. The study confirms that dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate can alter the electrolytes balance of Clarias gariepinus

Bioconcentration of Mercury, Lead and Cadmium in the bones and muscles of Citharinus citharaus and Synodontis clarias from the Amassoma Axis of River Nun, Niger Delta, Nigeria

 Fish is a major source of animal protein to humans and an input in the production of value added products such as animals feed. Activities of man on the environment, and natural processes, often contaminate the aquatic ecosystem causing pollution and subsequent bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of fishes. This study evaluated the bioconcentration of some toxic heavy metals in the muscle and bone of Citharinus citharaus and Synodontis clarias from the Amassoma Axis of River Nun, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Standard analytical procedure was employed. The concentration of cadmium and lead from Synodontis clarias ranged from 0.014 - 0.015mg/kg and 0.005 - 0.007 mg/kg respectively in    the muscle and 0.017 - 0.020mg/kg and 0.015 - 0.019mg/kg respectively in the bones. On the other hand, in Cithrinus citharus, the cadmium, lead and mercury concentration ranged from 0.015 - 0.016mg/kg, 0.005 - 0.007mg/kg and 0.001 - 0.002mg/kg respectively in the muscles and 0.024 - 0.030mg/kg, 0.024 - 0.028mg/kg and 0.001 - 0.002mg/kg respectively in the bones. The analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among most of the fish samples studied. The heavy metals were in the order of mercury<lead <cadmium in both the muscles and the bones of both fishes. The consumption of these fishes therefore, may pose little or no health threat with regard to heavy metal contamination

Cadmium and Lead level in Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Eichhornia crassipes is an invasive plant with adventitious root system and constitute nuisances in the waterways. In the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, they have remained underutilized. This study assessed the level of cadmium and lead in Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Niger Delta, Nigeria. The samples were collected from five locations in three batches within six weeks and analyzed using standard analytical methods. Results showed that pH, temperature, cadmium and lead of the water samples ranged from 5.51 – 6.68, 27.60 – 29.57ºC, 0.003 – 0.167mg/l and 0.002 – 0.063 mg/l respectively. While the concentration of cadmium and lead in Eichhornia crassipes ranged from 0.022 – 0.045 mg/kg and 1.095 – 2.450 mg/kg respectively. Analysis of variance showed that there significance difference (P<0.05) across the three batches the samples were collected. The concentration of lead and cadmium in Eichhornia crassipes in relation to the water samples suggests that the plant is aiding the removal of these heavy metals (cadmium and lead) from the water. This study confirms the remediation potentials of Eichhornia crassipes in the purification of water

Microbiological quality assessment of suya sold in Yenagoa, metropolis, Nigeria

This study assessed the microbial quality of suya sold in Yenagoa metropolis, Nigeria. Triplicate sample of suya were purchased from six communities in Yenagoa metropolis. Standard microbiological procedures were used for determining the microbial diversity and density. Results for the total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliform and total fungi ranged from 3.93 – 4.98, 2.94– 3.33 and 2.84 – 3.48 Log cfu/g, respectively. Analysis of variance showed that there were no significance differences (P>0.05) among the suya sample vended in some location in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Six and four bacterial and mould isolates were identified and among them the highest and least occurrence frequenies were Staphylococcus aureus (28.1%) and Proteus species (9.3%) for bacteria and  Aspergillus niger (39.7%) and Mucor species (11.8%) for mould respectively. Other bacterial isolates include Escherichia coli, Bacillus, Micrococcus and Pseudomonas species and fungi isolates were Aspergillus flavus  and Penicillium species. The implication of microbial diversity and density on potential consumers of suya in Yenagoa metropolis were discussed