Assessment of Water Quality and Heavy Metals in Ponds and Tank at Ndu, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Assessment of water quality and heavy metals were carried out at Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Faculty of Agriculture, Teaching and Research Farm. The objectives of the study were to determine the water quality parameters and the concentration level of heavy metals of the selected ponds and tank. The experiment was carried out 2 times for a period of 4 months from August 2020 to November 2020. Water samples were collected from 4 stations (Broodstock pond, Production Pond, Nursery Pond and Tank. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was used in carrying out the analysis of heavy metals. All data obtained in the lab, were subjected to one way ANOVA analysis. Water Quality Parameter ranges were recorded for the results obtained from this study: Temperature 26.37-26.79°C, EC 80.53-104.60µS/cm, pH 6.28-6.51, NH3 0.12-0.15mg/L, DO 4.05-4.51mg/L, NO2- 0.16-0.19mg/L and Heavy Metal ranges were recorded as Fe 0.12-0.15mg/L, Zn 0.04-1.08mg/L and Pb 0.17mg/L. Therefore, some of the parameters exceeded minimum and maximum permissible limits which might lead to pollution and mortality rate. The ponds and tank should be closely monitored to avoid pollution and increase In heavy metal contamination.