ABSTRACT
Ifiayong beach is anthropogenically perturbed and this in turn impact negatively on aquatic resources from the water system. Analysis on the water, gills and muscles of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus revealed that organs of the fish accumulate heavy metals more than the water environment. Gills accumulate Zn, Cu and Fe higher than Cd, Pb and Zn values were all exceeding WHO highest permissible limit. The Bioaccumulation factor for gills showed: Fe (0.11) > Zn (0.05) > Cu (0.03) > Cd (0.003) > Pb (0.001). Muscles showed: Cu (2.3) > Pb (0.3) > Zn (0.04) > Fe (0.1) > Cd (0.02). Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus for Ifiayong beach was slightly heavy – metal contaminated.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CONTENTS PAGE
Title Page – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgements – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – vi
Table of Contents – – – – – – – vii
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION- – – – – – 1
1.1 Background of the Study – – – – – 1
1.2 Aim of the Study – – – – – – 3
1.3 Objectives of the Study – – – – – 3
1.4 Scope and Limitation of the Study – – – 4
1.5 Definition of Terms – – – – – 4
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – 6
- Biology of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus – – 7
- Morphology of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus – – 7
- Life cycle of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus – – 9
- Feeding Habit of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus– – 10
- Nutritional Importance of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus 11
- Roles of Heavy metals – – – – – 13
- Zinc (Zn) – – – – – – – 13
- Copper (Cu) – – – – – – – 13
- Cadmium (Cd) – – – – – – 14
- Lead (Pb) – – – – – – – 16
- Iron (Fe) – – – – – – – 18
CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS – 19
3.1 Materials – – – – – – – 19
3.1.1 Equipment/Apparatus – – – – – 19
3.1.2 Reagent Used – – – – – – 19
3.2 Methods – – – – – – – 19
3.2.1 Collection of samples – – – – – 19
3.2.2 Laboratory Analysis – – – – – 20
3.2.3 Calculations- – – – – – – 22
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION – 23
4.1 Results – – – – – – – 23
4.2 Discussion – – – – – – – 25
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS – – – – – 29
5.1 Conclusion – – – – – – – 29
5.2 Recommendations – – – – – – 30
References
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In Ibibio language, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus is known as Inagha. it is a common silver colored African catfish occurring in Nigeria and several West African Countries and amongst the indigenous African population, it also a highly valuable fish species. Like other species of fish, C.nigrodigitatus is a source of food for human beings and other animals. It is rich in protein and vitamins especially Vitamin A (Retinol).
