Fish decline in the Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria: do saw-milling activities near the Lagoon contribute to this?

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Ajayi O T

University of Lagos, Nigeria

: Expert Opin Environ Biol

Abstract

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Okobaba is a hub of the Lagos Lagoon that is inundated with wastes generated mainly from saw-milling activities around it which are point sources of pollutants. In this study, the impacts of these anthropogenic activities were investigated through administration of questionnaires and determination of the levels of some heavy metals (lead, zinc, manganese, copper, chromium, nickel and cadmium) in water, sediment and fish samples from the location using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Also, biological and histological studies of the two most occurring metals in water were carried out using juveniles of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish). The results of the questionnaires administration revealed that woods were treated with chemicals; over five metric tons of saw dust were generated weekly, stored at the shoreline and burnt or washed off by water into the Lagoon. The heavy metals with the highest concentrations especially in water sample were copper and zinc. Biochemical and histological studies showed alterations in the liver and gill of C. gariepinus juveniles exposed to zinc and copper. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the need for a targeted and strict enforcement of waste management laws at the Okobaba hub of the Lagos lagoon. This will forestall further deterioration of the environment and deleterious impact on the fisheries and aquatic life of the Lagos lagoon

Biography

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Ajayi Olanike completed her Masters’ degree in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management from University of Lagos in Nigeria. She has worked as a Safety Officer at Oak Limited. Her wish is to proceed for her PhD and participate in various research works.

E-mail: ainanikemi@yahoo.com