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Analysis of the Physicochemical Burden of Oyo State Fish Pond, Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria
BABATUNDE, B.B. & WOKE, G.N.
Abstract
Physicochemical characteristics of the Oyo State fish pond (OYSFP) was
analysed to assess the water quality status in relation to the fish produced in the pond for
human consumption. The pond was originally designed to control storm waters from the high
lands around but was later converted for the purpose of commercial fish production and other
uses by the State Government. The pond is a recipient of tributaries of wastewaters from
Premier Hotel (PHWW), Coca Cola bottling plant (CCWW), University of Ibadan Teaching
Hospital (UCHWW) and Bodija Residential area (BDJWW). Results of the physico-chemical
parameters showed most of the parameters were higher than the maximum permissible limits
for surface waters and discharge of wastewaters into surface waters. Premier Hotel
wastewater (PHWW) had the lowest pH value of 6.41 and the most acidic of all the
wastewaters sampled. OYSFP recorded the lowest dissolved oxygen value of 2.03mg/L and
the highest BOD, COD, nitrate, TS and conductivity values of 78.04mg/L, 235.26mg/L, 78
mg/L, 1428.50, 947μS/cm respectively. The highest sulphate value of 248 mg/L was recorded
for BDJSW, this was probably due to runoffs from vegetable gardens along the stream
bearing inorganic fertilizers. Other macroscopic observations showed that PHWW was slimy
to touch, fowl smelling, dark in colour and had animal life forms such as maggots and flying
insects residing in it. CCWW was brownish in colour and slightly smelly and fishes were
sighted. OYSFP was dark, muddy, fowl smelling, the surface was covered by aquatic weeds
predominantly water hyacinth. UCHWW was transparent, foamy, slimy, slightly smelly and
no animal life was sighted in it. BDJWW was clear, no odour, animal life forms including fish
and surface arthropods were sighted. Results of physicochemical parameters reported in the
present study indicate contamination in OYSFP and fish produced there may not be suitable
for human consumption.
Keywords
fish pond; wastewaters; Physico-chemical analysis
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