Water,
Tilapia zilli
,
Synodontis nigrita
,
Clarias angillaris
,
Ipomoe cearri
and
Eichornnia natans
samples collected from Ase-creek for a period covering ten months (January –
October, 2006). The aforementioned samples were analysed for heavy metals such as selenium,
arsenic, chromium, lead, molybdenum, bismuth and cadmium using atomic absorption
spectrophotometry (AAS) of model Pye Unicam 2900. The results obtained revealed that there were
metal variations and elevated concentrations were obtained except for arsenic which was below
detection limit in fish samples. These elevated metal concentrations determined indicate a deep
pollution of the Ase-creek. Metal concentrations in the fish species and aquatic plants in this study
are good indicators for environmental monitoring in Nigerian rivers. Oil explorations, industries and
anthropogenic wastes were traceable to the elevated metal concentrations in the Ase-creek.
