COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER IN AQUACULTURE PONDS AROUND ILLEGAL REFINERY AREAS IN RIVERS STATE, SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA

Abstract

This study compares some pHysicochemical properties of water in aquaculture ponds of African Regional Aquaculture Center (ARAC) and Mariculture Research Center (MRC) in Rivers State, Nigeria. To determine temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solid (TDS), total suspended solid (TSD), nitrate ion (NO3-) and chloride ion (Cl-) in the ponds using their standard methods, water samples were collected at two tidal and one non-tidal aquaculture ponds. The results show that temperature ranged from 22.14 to 22.94 oC, pH (5.66 – 6.39), EC (12.29 – 45.00 μS/cm), DO (3.34 – 3.70 mg/L), BOD (0.92 – 13.09 mg/L), COD (1.80 – 26.04), turbidity (0.00 – 40.00 NTU), TDS (13.00 – 8601.00 mg/L), TSS (12.13 – 37.02 mg/L), (NO3-) 0.04 – 0.08 mg/L) and Cl- (5.90 – 1049.90). Hence, temperature, pH, COD, turbidity and NO3- values of the water in the three ponds were within the permissible limits recommended by WHO and NESREA for aquatic lives while DO was below the limits. EC, BOD, TDS and Cl- in ARAC non tidal and tidal ponds were found to be within the limits recommended by WHO and NESREA while these parameters were above the limits in the MRC tidal pond. TSS concentration of ARAC and MRC tidal ponds were within the permissible limits of these regulatory organizations while ARAC non tidal pond was above the recommended limits. This study suggests that all the ponds can sustain aquatic lives, however, proper monitoring of waste disposal around the vicinity of the ponds is recommended.