Environment
T. Yahaya; O. Ologe; C. Yaro; L. Abdullahi; H. Abubakar; A. Gazal; J. Abubakar
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of water-borne diseases necessitates periodic monitoring of domestic and drinking water sources. The current study assessed the safety of well water in the four emirate zones (Gwandu, Yauri, Argungu, and Zuru) of Kebbi State, Nigeria. Using normal procedures, samples of well ...
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The increasing prevalence of water-borne diseases necessitates periodic monitoring of domestic and drinking water sources. The current study assessed the safety of well water in the four emirate zones (Gwandu, Yauri, Argungu, and Zuru) of Kebbi State, Nigeria. Using normal procedures, samples of well water were examined for heavy metals, physicochemical characteristics, and microorganisms, and the results were compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water criteria. The heavy metals’ chronic daily ingestion (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) were also determined. The results showed that well water in the four emirate zones had normal temperature, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids (TSS), and zinc (Zn). However, non-permissible concentrations of lead (Pb), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and pH (Gwandu and Argungu only) were detected in all the water samples. Except for Cd and Cr in children, the CDI and HQ of the heavy metals were normal. The microbiological examinations revealed that the water samples from the four zones had abnormal levels of Bacillus species (bacteria), Escherichia coli (bacteria), Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria), Aspergillus niger (fungi), Mucor racemosa (fungi), and Paecilomyces variotti (fungi). The results obtained suggest that well water in the four zones is not suitable for human consumption unless treated.
T. O. Yahaya; E. O. Oladele; O. R. Abiola; O. Ologe; A. Abdulazeez
Abstract
The Bariga section of Lagos lagoon is famous in Lagos for fishing activities. However, the safety of edible fishes sold in the place has not been evaluated for a long time. This study determined the safety of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish), which is the most frequently patronized fish species in ...
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The Bariga section of Lagos lagoon is famous in Lagos for fishing activities. However, the safety of edible fishes sold in the place has not been evaluated for a long time. This study determined the safety of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish), which is the most frequently patronized fish species in the area. Samples of the fish and soil sediments obtained during rainy and dry seasons were subjected to atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn). Afterward, the daily intake (DI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risks (CR) of the heavy metals were calculated. The results showed that the levels of Cd and Pb in the fish and soil sediments were above the world health organization (WHO) permissible limits, while Zn, Cu, and Mn were normal. The DI of the heavy metals, as well as the THQ and HI, were normal. However, the CR of Cd and Pb were above the recommended limits. The heads of the fishes contained the highest concentrations of the heavy metals, DI, THQ, HI, and CR. Among the heavy metals, Cd had the highest CR. There was no significant (p > 0.05) seasonal variation in the accumulations of the heavy metals in the soil sediments. Overall, the results showed that the fish may predispose consumers to health hazards. Consequently, there is a need for heavy metal pollution control in the lagoon, to safeguard the health of fish consumers.