Trace metals accumulation in biofilms of the upper and middle reaches of Otamiri river in Owerri, Nigeria
Journal Title: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) - Year 2011, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
This study utilized biofilms as model in ecotoxicology to estimate pollutant loading of a natural water body. Water samples were collected from six sampling locations sited between the upper and middle courses of the Otamiri River in the southeastern city of Owerri, Nigeria and fixed with conc. HNO3. Biofilms were grown in microcosms housing serially arranged sterile glass slides at the sampling locations, harvested after 1, 2 and 3 weeks, minced in sterile sample bottles with distilled water and fixed with conc. HNO3. Natural biofilms were also collected from submerged surfaces and fixed. Pb, Cu and Cd contents were determined in samples with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The studentized t-test was used to compare trace metals levels in water column and biofilms, while single factor ANOVA was used to determine spatial homogeneity in mean variance. Mean Pb concentrations ranged from 1.5950-3.2900 (2.4303 ± 0.0835) mg/kg, Cu from 4.2934-7.5020 (5.6212 ± 0.1938) mg/kg and Cd from 0.0308-1.0559 (0.2082 ± 0.0005) mg/kg in the slide biofilms. However, they ranged from 0.0017-0.0267 (0.0150 ± 0.0003), 0.0333-0.6067 (0.2047 ± 0.0929) mg/L and totally undetected, respectively in water columns. Trace metals levels in slide and natural biofilms differed very markedly from those in water column (sig. t-values = 0.000, each), even as levels in slide and natural biofilms did not (sig. t-value = 0.747) at P<0.05. Pb and Cu concentrations increased from location 1 to 6 in both water columns and biofilms, even as there was homogeneity in spatial mean variances in slide [F(1.1458)<Fcrit(4.1300)] and natural biofilms concentrations [F(1.2812)<Fcrit(4.1300)] at P<0.05. Although mean Pb and Cu levels were below regulatory limits and Cd undetected in water columns, their average concentration exceedances were between 32 and 70 times higher in the biofilms. Results question the assignment of water potable based on regulatory standards alone.
Authors and Affiliations
Dike Henry Ogbuagu, Chidiogo Grace Okoli, Enos Ihediohamma Emereibeole, Ikechukwu Chimezie Anyanwu, Osinachi Onuoha, Nkiruka Onyekachi Ubah, Chibueze Oscar Ndugbu, Obinna N. Okoroama, Arthur Okafor, Edu Ewa, Rex Author(s): Ossai, Favour Ukah
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP37181
- DOI -
- Views 221
- Downloads 0
Prevalence of Eimeria bovis in cattles of Cholistan desert, Pakistan
Protozoan parasites are responsible for a number of diseases in livestock thus affecting a country economy. The coccidiosis is very common parasitic disease in livestock of Pakistan especially in desert animals. A valid...
Determining the ecological capability of forest park Heydareh in Hamadan city, approach to carrying capacity model
Carrying Capacity is based on understanding the limits of acceptable change in indicators of environmental quality, is widely used in urban, regional and tourism planning. Therefore, a scientific, applied understanding...
Effects of feeding monensin on fatty acid profile of holstein dairy cows
This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of monensin on milk fatty acid profile in Holstein dairy cows. For this study 12 cows with initial weight 625 ± 48 kg were allocated to control group and monensin gro...
Geochemistry of the interaction nitrate-soluble salt water a salty environment for Lake Fetzara (Algerian Northeast)
The lake Fetzara is 18 km from Annaba, it was officially classified as a wetland protected by the Ramsar Convention (2003). The waters of the lake and soils are affected by salinization. The objective of this work is to...
Effect of weeds competition on some growth parameters of red, white and pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
In order to investigate the effect of weeds competition on growth parameters of different dry beans, an experiment was conducted at Research Station of Faculty of Agriculture at Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran in 2011....