Available online at http://www.urpjournals.

com

International Journal of Environmental Biology

Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved

ISSN 2277386X
Original Article
HEAVY METAL LEVELS AND POTENTIAL PATHOGENS OF SURFACE
WATER AND SEDIMENTS OF TWO MAN-MADE LAKES AT LOKPA
UMUCHIEZE, ABIA STATE NIGERIA
1
O.C Ugbogu, 2R.A Onyeagba, 3Ugbogu E.A and 2V.O Nwaugo
1. Department of Microbiology, Federal University Wukari Nigeria
2. Department of Microbiology, Abia State University PMB 2000, Uturu Abia, State Nigeria
3. Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University PMB 2000 Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
Received 11 November 2015; accepted 13 january 2016
Abstract
The heavy metal levels of two man-made lakes in Abia State Nigeria was investigated. The heavy metals As, Se, V, Hg,
and Pb were below detection limits in the sediments of both lakes. Statistical analysis of heavy metal concentrations using
ANOVA show that there was significant difference (P> 0.05) in the concentration of Mn, Cd, and Co in the surface water
of both lakes while there was no significant difference in the levels of Mo, Se, Cu, Fe, Zn, V, Hg and Cr concentrations of
both lake. Salmonella species was isolated in 83.33% of the samples from both Lakes while Vibrio species was isolated in
66.66% of the Lake 1 and 50% of Lake 2 samples respectively. Escherichia coli were isolated in 83.33% of Lake 1
samples and 50% of Lake 2 samples. The heavy metal load and frequency of isolation of potential pathogens from the
lakes show that the water is not suitable for drinking and other domestic purposes and poses a public health risk to children
and other groups that use it for recreational purposes.
2016 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved
Keywords:- Heavy metals, man-made lakes, sediments, surface water, pathogens.

INTRODUCTION
The benefits derived from the creation of man-made lakes
in Nigeria and other developing countries are usually
associated with great risks. The creations of dams, stone
quarrying and soil excavation for road construction work
often result in ponds and artificial lakes (Araoye, 2002;
Obiekezie, 2005; Araoye and Jeje, 1999). The benefits
derived from dams and creation of man-made lakes include
the storing of water for power generation, irrigation,
fisheries, navigation, flood and erosion control purposes
(Araoye, 2002). However these benefits are not devoid of
financial and environmental problems. In Nigeria as well as
other developing countries, the issue of conservation or
environmental protection is of less interest whenever it
comes to building dams for electricity and irrigation
(Araoye, 2002) as well as during road construction projects.
This may be because of the need for infrastructural
development, industrialization and agriculture in order to
alleviate the problems of poverty. Hence other valuable
resources such as fisheries and wildlife conservation are
usually ignored at the planning stages of the construction
projects. These projects result in creation of reservoirs and
International Journal of Environmental Biology 2016; 6(1): 4-10
4
small man-made lakes. The study of these smaller lakes and
reservoirs will contribute significantly to the understanding
of tropical freshwater ecosystems especially since these
smaller lakes are more susceptible to human impact
(Araoye, 2002; Akin-Oriola, 2003).
In natural aquatic ecosystems, metals occur in low
concentrations normally at nanograms to microgram level
per litre. In recent times however the occurrence of metal
contaminants especially the heavy metal in excess of
natural loads has become a problem of increasing concern
(Ugbogu et al., 2005). This situation has arisen as a result
of the rapid growth of population, increased urbanisation,
expansion of industrial activities, exploration and
exploitation of natural resources, extension of irrigation and
other modern agricultural as well as lack of environmental
regulations (Asuquo,1999; Aigbedion and Iyayi, 2007).
Unlike other pollutants like petroleum hydrocarbons and
litter which may visibly build up in the environment, trace
metals may accumulate unnoticed to toxic levels. These
metals contaminate aquatic organisms (Adham et al., 2002)
and can build up in the food chain and be responsible for
chronic illness and death in aquatic organisms (Farkas et
al., 2002).
In the aquatic environment, metals are partitioned among
the various aquatic environmental compartments (water,
suspended solids, sediments and biota). The metals in the
aquatic environment may occur in dissolved, particulate
and complexed form. In the course of distribution,
permanent or temporary storage of metals takes place in the
sediments of both fresh water and marine environments
(Gadd, 1997). Many metals are essential components of
cells at low levels but they exert toxic effect at high
concentrations such as those encountered in polluted
environments (Romero et al., 1994). Heavy metals are
toxic to microorganisms disrupting membrane functions,
inhibiting enzymatic activities and damaging nucleic acids
(Deng and Tabatabai, 1995; Gadd, 1992; Teitzel and
Parsek, 2003; Hasnain et al., 1993).
Aquatic environments are repository for metal pollutants
that enter the environment. Trace metals as important
contaminants tend to accumulate in sediments and as such
may be directly available to benthic fauna or released to the
water column through sediment re-suspension (Pekey et al.,
2004; Tijani et al., 2005). The fate of reactive metals within
sediments is closely linked to the carbon cycle. Seasonal
variations in the population of heavy metal resistant
bacteria and toxicity of heavy metals to bacteria isolated
from rivers has been reported (Nweke et al., 2006;
Odokuma and Ijeomah 2003; Nweke et al., 2007). This
paper reports the heavy metal load of the surface water
and sediments of two man-made lakes in Abia State.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Water Sampling
Three replicate samples were collected from each of the
two man-made lakes on parameters. Samples were
collected in 2.5 litres PVC containers and transported to the
Laboratory for analysis.
Determination of Heavy Metals
The heavy metals namely copper, iron, molybdenum,
nickel, vanadium, selenium, zinc, cadmium, mercury, lead,
arsenic, cobalt and chromium were determined using
atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The water
samples were digested using the method described by Kanu
et al., (2006). The samples were acidified with HNO3 and
HCl and heated on a hot plate to reduce the volume. The
samples were filtered and concentration of the metals was
determined using the UNICAM 969 atomic absorption
spectrophotometer (AAS) the result was displayed in mg/l.
Sediment collection and analysis of metals
The sediments were collected by the method described by
Nwadiaro and Odigi (1991). Unconsolidated lake bottom
sediments were collected from three locations in each of
the lakes using a sediment grab. Sampling was done during
the august break to secure lake specific conditions than
those modified by flood conditions. The sediment samples
were air dried to a constant weight in a hot air oven for
24hr at 100C. They were ground and sieved to remove
coarse particles using 1mm pore sieves. Subsamples of
approximately 1g dry weight were taken in triplicates and
digested with HNO3, cooled and made up to 100ml with
distilled water. These digests were then analyzed for heavy
metals and trace elements using the UNICAM 969 atomic
International Journal of Environmental Biology 2016; 6(1): 4-10
5
absorption spectrophotometer.
Isolation of Salmonella and Shigella species from water
samples
The membrane filter technique (APHA, 1992) was used
and involved filteration of 200ml of water sample through
0.45m sterile membrane. Upon completion of filtration,
the membrane were introduced into flasks with 20ml sterile
Selenite-F (Oxoid) and tetrathionate (Oxoid) enrichment
media respectively. The inoculated media were incubated at
37C for 24hr and thereafter a loopful of the culture was
subcultured by streaking on Deoxycholate Citrate agar
(DCA) and Salmonella Shigella agar (SSA) and the plates
were incubated for 48hr at 37C. Thereafter Salmonella and
Shigella species were differentiated by morphology and
motility tests and growth characteristics on Kligers Iron
agar.
Isolation of Vibrio species from water samples
The isolation of Vibrio species was done after filtration of
200ml of water samples (APHA, 1992) through 0.45m
sterile membrane. Upon completion of filtration the
membrane filters were placed in strile flasks containing
20ml alkaline peptone water and incubated for 24hr at
37C. Thereafter a loopful of the broth culture was
subcultured by streaking on Thiosulphate citrate bile salt
sucrose (TCBS) agar and incubated at 37C for 24hr.
Statistical Analysis
Data obtained in this study were subjected to statistical
analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to
test significant difference in three replications. The Mini
tab program was used at P = 0.05.
RESULTS
Arsenic was <0.001mg/l in all the sites sampled in both
lakes, Manganese ranged from <0.001 to 0.17mg/l in Lake
1 while it ranged from 0.17 to 1.63mg/l in Lake 2.
Molybdenum was the heavy metal with the highest
concentration in both lakes; it ranged from 42.4 to 64.5mg/l
in Lake 1, and 64.5 to 81.4mg/l in Lake 2. Cadmium was
detected at concentration of 0.11mg/l at one sampling site
in Lake 1 while it ranged from 0.11 to 0.22mg/l in Lake 2.
The mean value for cobalt in Lake 1 was 0.18 0.18mg/l
showing a high variation at the sampling points. The cobalt
concentration of Lake 2 ranged from 0.10 to 0.39mg/l with
a mean value of 0.25 0.15mg/l (Tables 1 and 2). Statistical
analysis shows that there was significant difference
(P>0.05) between the concentrations of manganese,
cadmium and cobalt in the surface water samples of Lakes
1 and 2. There was no significant difference (P <0.05) in
the levels of molybdenum, selenium, copper, iron, zinc,
vanadium, cadmium, mercury and chromium of both
Lakes. Arsenic, selenium, vanadium, mercury and lead
were below detection limits (<0.01) in all the sampling
points for sediments in both lakes. Iron was the most
abundant in the sediments and ranged from 921 to
1819mg/l at various sampling points in both lakes.
Molybdenum ranged from 12.6 to 45mg/l with a mean
value of 32.7317.57mg/l in Lake 1 and 19.9 to 84.6mg/l
with a mean value of 47.5033.38mg/l in Lake 2. The
mean value for zinc was 36.93 20.45mg/l and
15.132.50mg/l for Lakes 1 and 2 respectively. Chromium
ranged from below detection limits to 24.6mg/l at various
Table 1 Heavy metal concentration at different sampling sites (a, b, c) in man-made Lake 1 (mg/l).
Heavy metal Site
A B C X SD WHO(mg/l)
Arsenic BDL BDL BDL ND 0.01
Manganese BDL 0.07 0.17 0.08 0.08 0.05
Selenium BDL BDL BDL ND 0.001
Copper BDL BDL BDL ND 1.00
Iron 0.32 0.42 BDL 0.25 0.22 0.3
Molybdenum 42.4 44.6 64.5 50.50 12.17 0.5
Vanadium BDL BDL BDL ND -
Zinc BDL 0.06 0.02 0.03 0.03 3.0
Cadmium BDL BDL 0.11 0.04 0.06 0.003
Mercury BDL BDL BDL ND 0.001
Lead BDL BDL BDL ND 0.01
Cobalt 0.05 0.39 0.10 0.18 0.18 1.0
Chromium 1.22 BDL 1.60 0.94 0.84 0.05
BDL Below detection limits, ND Not determined

Table 2: Heavy metal concentration at different sampling sites (a, b, c) in man- made Lake 2 (mg/l).
Heavy metal Site
A B C X SD WHO(mg/l)
Arsenic BDL BDL BDL ND 0.01
Manganese 0.17 0.49 1.63 0.760.77 0.05
Selenium BDL BDL BDL ND 0.001
Copper BDL BDL BDL ND 1.00
Iron BDL 0.90 BDL 0.300.52 0.3
Molybdenum 64.5 72.8 81.4 72.908.45 0.5
Vanadium BDL BDL BDL ND -
Zinc 0.02 BDL 5.93 1.983.42 3.0
Cadmium 0.11 0.22 0.22 0.180.06 0.003
Mercury BDL 0.22 BDL 0.070.13 0.001
Lead BDL BDL BDL ND 0.01
Cobalt 0.10 0.39 0.25 0.250.15 1.0
Chromium 1.60 BDL 2.95 1.521.48 0.05
BDL Below detection limits, ND Not Determined

Table 3: Heavy metal concentration in sediments from different Sites in Lake 1 (mg/kg).
Heavy metal Site
A B C X SD
Arsenic BDL BDL BDL ND
Manganese 195.0 133.1 326.0 218.0398.49
Selenium BDL BDL BDL ND
Copper 3.04 3.04 4.66 3.580.94
Iron 1,038.0 1,819.0 921.0 1259.33488.20
Molybdenum 45.0 40.6 12.6 32.7317.57
Vanadium BDL BDL BDL ND
Zinc 22.3 60.3 28.2 36.9320.45
Cadmium BDL 0.69 0.04 0.250.38
Mercury BDL BDL BDL ND
Lead BDL BDL BDL ND
Cobalt 9.10 5.80 10.0 8.302.21
Chromium 1.20 <0.01 24.6 8.6013.87
BDL Below detection limits, ND Not determined

International Journal of Environmental Biology 2016; 6(1): 4-10

6
Table 4: Heavy metal concentration in sediments from different Sites in Lake 2 (mg/kg)
Heavy metal Site
A B C X SD
Arsenic BDL BDL BDL ND
Manganese 375.4 181.4 301.2 286.0097.89
Selenium BDL BDL BDL ND
Copper 2.91 3.90 4.08 3.630.63
Iron 1000 1263 1,773.0 1345.33393.02
Molybdenum 84.6 19.9 38 47.5033.38
Vanadium BDL BDL BDL ND
Zinc 15.2 12.6 17.6 15.132.50
Cadmium 0.04 1.68 1.79 1.170.98
Mercury BDL BDL BDL ND
Lead BDL BDL BDL ND
Cobalt 8.30 7.30 17.2 10.935.45
Chromium BDL 18.8 3.16 7.3210.06
BDL Below detection limits, ND Not determined

Table 5: Prevalence of Potential Bacterial species in the Man-made lakes

Potential NMS NMO
Pathogen Lake 1
Escherichia coli 12 10
Shigella species 12 04
Salmonella species 12 10
Vibrio species 12 08
NMS No of Months Sampled, NMO No of Months Observed
sampling points in both lakes (Tables 3 and 4). There was
no significant difference (P<0.05) in the values of
manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, zinc and cobalt in
the sediments of both lakes. There was significant
difference in the chromium content of both lakes (P>0.05).
Salmonella species was isolated in 83.33% of the samples
from both Lakes while Vibrio species was isolated in
66.66% of the Lake 1 and 50% of Lake 2 samples
respectively. Escherichia coli were isolated in 83.33% of
Lake 1 samples and 50% of Lake 2 samples (Table 5).
DISCUSSION
Heavy metals ranks as major polluting chemicals in both
developed and developing countries. The Arsenic (As)
content of the surface water of both lakes was below the
WHO acceptable limit (0.05mg/l) for drinking water.
Arsenic was < 0.001 mg/l at all sampling points for both
lakes. This observation does not agree with that of Tijani et
al., (2005) that reported As values of 1.40mg/l for the
Awba lake UI, Ibadan South Western Nigeria. Manganese
(Mn) was higher than the WHO acceptable limit of
0.05mg/l for drinking water for both lakes. The manganese
content of Lake 1 ranged from <0.001 to 0.17mg/l while
that of Lake 2 ranged from 0.17 to 1.63mg/l. This finding
does not agree with the findings of Olaife et al., (2004) that
reported Mn levels of 0.02 mg/l for Eleiyele Lake in
Ibadan. Selenium (Se) was below the WHO acceptable
limit for drinking water, for both lakes all values were
below 0.001mg/l. The copper (Cu) concentration was
International Journal of Environmental Biology 2016; 6(1): 4-10
7
% Occurrence NMO % Occurrence
Lake 2
83.33 6 50.0
33.33 05 41.66
83.33 10 83.33
66.66 6 50.00
below the WHO acceptable limit of 1.5mg/l in both lakes.
The Cu2+ were all <0.001mg/l at all the sampling points.
This findings does not agree with that of Nabi Bidhendi et
al., (2007) that reported values of 0.55 1.50mg/l for Aras
river receiving a copper mine effluent. The low range of Cu
observed in this study could be as a result of low
background levels of copper in the soil surrounding the
lake environment and that the lakes do not receive any form
of industrial effluent. Iron(Fe) was higher than the WHO
acceptable limit (0.1mg/l) at the sampling points for Lake 1
and one sampling point for Lake 2. The mean concentration
of Fe (0.25<0.22) for Lake 1 and (0.300.52mg/l) was
higher than the WHO limit. The concentration of Fe was
higher at the centre of both lakes and this could be as a
result of the pattern of mixing of the surface waters of the
lakes. The molybednum(Mo) content of both lakes was
high (42.4 64.5mg/l for Lake 1 and 64.5- 81.4mg/l for
Lake 2). These values are quite high when compared to the
WHO acceptable limit of 0.5mg/l. The Mo content of both
lakes is high compared to that of Aras Rivers receiving
copper mine effluent (Nabi Bidhendi et al., 2007). There
was significant difference (P<0.05) in the Mo content of
both lakes. Lake 2 had higher Mo content than Lake 1. The
high content of Mo in the two lakes could be as a result of
high content of Mo in the soil and basal rocks in the lakes.
The high content of Mo in Lake 2 compared to Lake 1
could be because of the fact that more quarrying activities
are going on in Lake 2. This shows that quarrying and the
basal rocks contribute to the excessive Mo load of the
surface water of both lakes. High levels of molybdenum
has been shown to associted with skin eruptions, itchy skin,
inflammatoy spinal/joint disease, trabecular bone loss and
decreased growth in all species (Lener and Bibr, 1984).
Vanadium was below 0.001mg/l in all the sampling points
for both lakes and within the limit for drinking water. The
zinc (Zn2+) concentration were all within the WHO limit for
drinking water (5.0mg/l) at all sampling points in both
lakes except at the centre where Zn2+ concentration was
5.93mg/l. However this was also within the permissible
limit of 15mg/l of WHO. The mean cadmium(Cd)
concentration of Lake 1 0.04 0.06mg/l was higher than
the WHO acceptable limit of 0.01mg/l. The Cadmium
concentration was higher than the acceptable limit at all
sampling points in Lake 2 with a mean 0.180.06mg/l. The
Cadmium in the surface water of both lakes could be
contributed by the rock mining that goes on around the
lakes. The higher cadmium content of Lake 2 could be as a
result of higher concentration of quarrying around the lake.
The cadmium content of Lake 1 is in the same range
(0.037mg/l) reported by Tijani et al., (2005) for the Awba
Lake Ibadan, Nigeria but high when compared to the
cadmium content of Oshunkaye stream Ibadan where
cadmium was not detected (Osibanjo and Adie, 2007).
However the cadmium content of Lake 2 was quite high
when compared to what was reported by Osibanjo and
Adie, (2007) and Tijani et al.,(2005). The Hg content of
Lake 1 were all below the WHO acceptable limit
(0.01mg/l) while the average Hg concentration of Lake 2
was higher than the acceptable limit. The highest
concentration of Hg observed in this study (0.22mg/l) was
low compared to the 1.65mg/l and 0.62mg/l Hg reported by
Kanu et al., (2006) for the Eziama River. The concentration
of Pb for both lakes were <0.001mg/l and within the
acceptable limit of WHO for drinking water (0.1mg/l) at all
the sampling points. Tijani et al., (2005) reported higher
values of Pb 0.184mg/l for the Awba lake. Kanu et al.,
(2006) reported Pb values of 1.32 and 1.42mg/l for Eziama
River. The Cr content of Lake 1 surface water <0.900.84
was higher than the acceptable limit for chromium in
drinking water (0.05mg/l), that of Lake 2 (1.521.48) was
higher than both the acceptable limit and permissiible limit
in drinking water. The values reported in this study at most
of the sampling point was higher than the range of 0.39
0.41mg/l reported by Nabi Bidhendi et al.,(2007) for the
Aras River receiving copper mine effluent. Olaife et al.,
(2004) reported that chromium was below detection limits
for Eleiyele Lake Ibadan. Molybednum was the most
dominant metal measured in the surface water of both lakes
during this study followed by chromium and Iron. This
does not agree with the findings of other researchers
(Olaife et al., 2004; Asuquo et al., 1999) that reported Fe as
the dominant metal for Eleiyele Lake and coastal waters of
Cross River State, Nigeria respectively.
The heavy metals As, Se, V Hg and Pb were all below
detection limits in all the sediment samples of both lakes.
The same metals were all below detectable limits in the
surface water of both lakes excepts Hg that was detected in
the water at concentration of 0.070.13mg/l in Lake 2. The
non detection of Hg in the sediment could be as a result of
International Journal of Environmental Biology 2016; 6(1): 4-10
8
low or no level of mercury in the water which does not
sediment. Cadmium was detected in sediments, this
findings in consistent with what was observed in the
surface of the lakes. The detection of Cadmium in
sediments agrees with the findings of Elmacci et al., (2007)
reported higher values of Cd compared to Pb for Uluabat
lake, Turkey. Of all the metals examined Fe was found to
be the most abundant metals in sediments. The high Fe
content compared with other metals in the lake sediment is
expected because it has been reported that Fe occurs at high
levels in Nigeria soils (Asaolu, et al., 1997; Asaolu and
Olaofe, 2004; Nwajei and Gagophien, 2000). This
observation is in agreement with that of Adefemi et al.,
(2007) for sediment of major dams in Ekiti State. The Zn
concentration in sediments of the two lakes in this study is
quite high 28.2 60.3mg/kg for Lake 1 and 12.6
17.6mg/kg for Lake 2 compared to the values reported by
Adefemi et al., (2007) for dams in Ekiti state, Nigeria.
The presence of heavy metals in the water of both lakes is
of public health importance. Sources of human exposure to
Cd include atmospheric, terresterial and aquatic routes
(Lopez et al., 1994). The most severe form of Cd toxicity
in humans is Itai-itai. A disease characterised by
excruciating pain in the bone. Other health implication of
Cd in humans include kidney dysfunction, hepatic damage,
and hypertension (klassen, 2001). Heavy metals can also
accumulate in fishes in the lakes and humans can in turn be
exposed to heavy metals by consuming contaminated
fishes. Microbial communities are sensitive to the presence
of heavy metals with modifying influence of
physicochemical factors. The metals Zn and Cr has been
shown to be toxic to aquatic bacteria (Romero et al., 1999;
Nweke et al., 2007). The accumulation of Zn2+ in the
sediment would likely impact negatively on the carbon
metabolism and respiratory activity of bacterial strains.
Since bacteria play important role in detrital breakdown
and nutrient cycling, disturbances in their activity would
result in general ecosystem stress.
Salmonella and Shigella species were among the prevalent
isolates from both lakes. Salmonella typhi, Salmonella
paratyphi and Salmonella typhimirium were isolated from
both lakes. This findings suggests that Salmonella
serotypes are brought in from widespread animals rearing
activities around the lakes and inflow of human faeces
during rains. Higher frequency of Salmonella was observed
in comparsion of Shigella species during the period of
study. This is likely due to their level of distribution in the
area. This level of distribution can be as result of the human
activities at the lake water shed and around the area. These
organisms survive relatively well in aquatic environments
(Chandran and Hartha, 2005). It is a well known fact that
water resources are subjected to frequent dramatic changes
in microbial and chemical quantities as a result of the
variety of activites of the water shed.
The isolates from the lakes namely Vibrio cholera,
Echerichia coli, Salmonella and Shigella species are
potential pathogens. These waterborne bacterial pathogens
are causative agents for many human diseases and their
presence poses a potential threat to the human population
(Otukunefor and Nwachukwu, 2003) especially since the
local inhabitations of the area use the lake water without
any form of treatment. The microbial quality of drinking
water is becoming an increasing cause of concern world
wide as the practice of disposing faecal waste on land
which must find its way into streams, lakes and streams.
Owing to the risk of public outreaks of diseases, it is
important that communities be aware of the potential
risks associated with water contact including pathogenic
bacteria.
REFERENCES
1. Adefemi, O.S., Olaofe, O and Asaolu, S (2007).
Seasonal variation in Heavy metal Distribution in the
sediment of Major Dams in Ekiti State. Pak. J. Nutr.
6: 705-707.
2. Adham K.G., Hamed. S., Ibrahim H., Salah, M and
Ramadan, A (2002). Impaired functions in Nile tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus from polluted water. Acta
Hydrochemical et Hydro biologica 29:278-288.
3. Aigbedion, I and Iyayi, S.E (2007). Environmental
effect of Mineral exploitation in Nigeria. Int. J. Phys.
Sci. 2: 033-038.
4. Akin-Oriola, G.A (2003). On the phytoplankton of
Awba, reservoir, Ibadan, Nigeria. Rev. Biol. Trop.
51:10-15.
5. APHA. (1992). Standard Methods for the Examination
of Water and Wastewater, 18th Edition, (A.E.
Greenberg, L.S. Clesceri, & A.D. Eaton, eds.).
American Public Health Association, Washington,
D.C., Pp.1100.
6. Araoye, P.A (2002). Man-Made lakes, ecological
studies and conservation needs in Nigeria. Rev. Biol.
Trop. 50:857-864.
7. Araoye, P.A and Jeje, C.Y (1999). The diet of
Synodontis Schall (Bloch & Schneider 1801) in Asa
dam Ilorin, Nigeria. Nig. J. Nat. Sci. 33:67-76.
8. Asaolu, S.S and Olaofe, O (2004). Biomagnification
factors of some heavy metal and essential metals in
sediments, fish and cray fish from Ondo State Coastal
region Bio-Sci. Res. Comm. 16:33-39.
9. Asaolu, S.S., Pinmoroti, KO., Olaofe, O and
Adeeyinwo, C.E (1997). Seasonal variation in Heavy
metal distribution in sediments from Ondo State
coastal area. Gha. J. Chem. 3:11-14.
10. Asuquo, F.E (1999). Physicochemical characteristics
and anthropogenic pollution of the surface waters of
Calabar River, Nigeria. Glo. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 5:595-
600.
11. Chandran, A and Hartha, A.A.M (2005). Relative
survival of Escherichia coli and Salmonella
typhimirium in a tropical estuary. Water Research 39:
1397-1403.
12. Deng, S.P and Tabatabai M.A (1995). Cellulase
activitity of soils: effect of trace elements. Soil Biol.
Biochem. 27: 977-979.
International Journal of Environmental Biology 2016; 6(1): 4-10
9
13. Farkas, A; Salanki, J and specziar A (2002). Relation
between growth and the heavy metal concentration in
organs of bream. Abrams brama L. populating lake
Balaton. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 43:236-
243.
14. Gadd, G.M (1992). Microbial control of heavy metal
pollution. In (Fry J.C; Gadd G.M, Herbert, R.A Jones
C.W and and Watson Craik I.A eds) Microbial control
of Pollution Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge. Pp 59-88.
15. Gadd, G. M (1997). Role of microorganisms in the
environmental fate of radionuchides in CIBA
foundation symposium 203: Health impacts of large
Release of Radionuclides (Lake, J.W; Bock, G.R;
Cardew, G eds). Chichester. Pp 223-234.
16. Hasnain, S., Vasmin, S and Yajmin A (1993). The
effects of lead resistant Pseudo monads on the growth
of Triticum aestivum seedlings under lead stress.
Environ. Poll. 81: 179-184.
17. Kanu, I., Achi, O.K., Ezeronye, O.U and Anyanwu
E.C (2006). Seasonal variation in bacterial heavy metal
biosorption in water samples from Eziama River near
soap and brewery industries and the environmental
health implications. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech. 3: 95-
102.
18. Klassen, C.D (2001). Heavy metals and heavy metal
antagonists In Goodman and Gilman's The
pharmacological basis of therapeutics. McGraw Hill,
New York pp 1851-1875.
19. Lener, J and Bibr B (1984). Effects of molybdenum on
the organism: a review. J. Hyg. Epid. Microbiol.
Immunol. 29:405-419.
20. Lopez, M.C., Labrera, C., Gallego, C and Lorenzo M.L
(1994). Cadmium levels in waters of Canada Coast.
Arch. Pharm. 1:945-950.
21. Nabi Bidhendi, G.R., Karbassi, A.R., Nasrabadi, T and
Hoveidi, H (2007). Influence Copper mine on surface
water quality. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech 4:85-91.
22. Nwachukwu, E and Otukunefor T.V (2003). Seasonal
changes in the sanitary Bacterial quality of surface
water in a rural community in Rivers State. Nigerian
Journal of Microbiology 17:110-114.
23. Nwadiaro, C and Odigi, M (1991). Sediments of Lake
Oguta, Nigeria. I. Cations and trace Metals. Arch.
Hydrobiol. 121:365-371.
24. Nwajei, G.E and Gagophien, P.O (2000). Distribution
of heavy metals in sediments of Lagos Lagoon. Pak. J.
Sci. Industr. Res. 43:338-340.
25. Nweke, C.O., Alisi, C.S., Okolo, J.C and Nwanyanwu,
C.E (2007). Toxicity of zinc to heterotrophic bacteria
from a tropical river sediment. Appl. Ecol. Environ.
Res. 5:123-132.
26. Nweke, C.O., Okolo J.C., Nwanyanwu, C.E and Alisi,
C.S (2006). Response of planktonic bacteria of New
Calabar River to Zinc stress. Afr. J. Biotech. 5:653-
658.
27. Obiekezie, S.O (2005). Effect of mining activities on
physicochemical and bacteriological qualities of water
and soil in Ishiagu area of Ebonyi state Nigeria. Ph.D
Thesis Abia State University, Uturu Nigeria.
Unpublished.
28. Odokuma, L.O and Ijeomah, S.O (2003). Tolerance of
bacteria to toxicity of heavy metals in the New Calabar
River, Nigeria. Glo. J. Environ. Sci. 2:128-132.
29. Olaifa, F.E., Olaifa A.K, Adalaja, A.A and Owolabi,
A.G (2004). Heavy metal Contamination of Clarias
gariepinus from a lake and fish farm in Ibadan,
Nigeria. Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 7:145-148.
30. Osibanjo, O and Adie, G.U (2007). Impact of effluent
from Bodija abattoir on the physicochemical
parameters of Oshunkaye stream in Ibadan City
Nigeria, Afr. J. Biotech. 6:1806-1811.
Source of support: Nil; Conflict of interest: None declared
International Journal of Environmental Biology 2016; 6(1): 4-10
10
31. Pekey, H., Karakas, D and Bakoglu, M (2004). Source
apportionment of trace metals in surface waters of a
polluted stream using multivariate statistical analyzers.
Mar. Poll. Bull. 49:809-818.
32. Romero, M.C., Gatti, E.M and Bruno O.E (1994).
Effects of heavy metals on microbial activity of water
and sediment communities. World J. Microbiol.
Biotech. 15: 179-184.
33. Teitzel, G.M and Parsek, M.R (2003). Heavy metal
resistance of biofilm and planktonic Pseudomonas
aeruginosa. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69: 2313-2320.
34. Tijani, M.N., Balogun, S.A and Adeleye, M.U (2005).
Chemical and microbiological assessment of water and
bottom sediments contamination in Awba, Lake (U.I),
Ibadan, SW-Nigeria. RMZ-Mat. Geoenviron., 52 :
123-126.
35. Ugbogu, O.C., Igwe, J.C and Ekpe M.E (2005).
Determination of Heavy metal Pollutants in fish
samples from Imo river watershed at Owerrinta,
Nigeria. Environ. Ecol. 23: 912-914.