Water samples from boreholes near abattoirs in Iwofe, Agip (Ayagologo) and Mile III were collected and assessed for some physicochemical parameters and heavy metals. The physicochemical parameters were analysed using American Public Health Association (APHA) standard methods, while the heavy metals were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results indicated that all the physicochemical parameters measured in all the stations except pH at Agip station which was 5.50±1.76 a were all within the WHO and SON permissible limits of 6.5-8.5. The heavy metals analysed showed that copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr) (Iwofe and Agip) were below WHO and SON permissible limit for drinking water. Cadmium (Cd) was not detected in any of the samples. The other metals examined were all above the standard limits prescribed by these organisations for drinking water. Zinc (Zn) (3.379±0.01 -6.599±0.04 Original Research Articleml/L) range was higher than the WHO and SON upper limit of 3.0 ml/L. Manganese (Mn) values which ranged from 0.049±0.01-0.054±0.01 in the station were above the WHO limit of 0.4 ml/L and SON limit of 0.2 mg/L. Nickel (Ni) ranged between 0.012±0.00 -0.047±0.00 ml/L and the stations, which were higher than the acceptable limit of 0.02 mg/L by WHO and SON. Arsenic (As) was 0.15±0.00 -0.37±0.04 mg/L range in the stations which was higher than the maximum requirement of 0.01 mg/L by WHO and SON. The result showed that the metal concentrations were generally in the order; Zn > Co > As > Mn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Fe > Cd in the stations examined. The implication of the results obtained is that the water from these boreholes sited within the vicinity of these abattoirs, are not suitable for human and animal consumption and also for the treatment of the meat during processing.

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Water samples from effluents discharge points were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration using chromatographic techniques. The result obtained showed the presence of all the PAHs categories in the water samples. The total concentrations of PAHs in the different location showed that Minipiti station was the highest (44.99 mg/L), which was followed by the values obtained at the Police Post station (36.89 mg/L) and finally, the lowest value was obtained at the Iwofe Jetty station (11.923 mg/L). Diagnostic analysis of the concentrations of the different PAHS concentrations based on the ratio of low molecular weight PAHs to high molecular weight PAHs (LMW/HMW), anthracene / anthracene + phenanthrene {An/(An + Phe)} fluoranthene/ fluoranthene + pyrene {Fl /(Fl + Pyr} and benzo[a] anthracene/ benzo[a]anthracene + chrysene {BaA/ (BaA + Chr)} showed the predominance of pyrogenic PAHs over petrogenic PAHs. Thus indicating more of human input sources than natural. Ring size analysis indicated the predominance of the higher molecular weights (4-6) rings over the lower molecular weights (2-3) rings. The implications of the high level of PAHs within the sampled environment should give warning signals to the user of the water environment’.

The effect of mild concentrations of diesel (10.40,15.60,21.00 and 26.00 mg/l) on some biochemical parameters such as Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), in the tissue of periwinkle (tympanotonus fuscatus) were examined using a renewal static bioassay for six days. The activities of the enzymes were measured on 120 specimens of periwinkle of size between 4.5-5.5cm lengths. The result of AST activity in the muscle showed either an increased or decreased activity against the control. The activity of ALT showed significant (p=0.05) decrease in all the test concentrations. ALT also showed significant difference (p=0.05) which were either higher or lower than the control value. In the viscera, activity of AST significantly increased (p=0.05) than that of the control. ALT activity was significantly increased (p=0.05) above the control except at 10.40ml/L where a significant decrease (p=0.05) was observed. Significant increase (p=0.05) was observed in the activity of ALP above the control value except at 10.40ml/L. The result of the tissue enzyme activities indicated alteration in the biochemistry of tympanotonus fuscatus and therefore could be used as a biomarker of aquatic pollution and toxicities.