Effects of Human Activities on Water Quality and Fish Biodiversity: A Review (Published)
This review analyzed the intricate relationships between human processes, the quality of water and fish biodiversity in different freshwater bodies. Aquatic ecosystems are of immense ecological significance and support vast extents of biodiversity, their degradation due to human activities is of immediate concern. Other important factors like agricultural run-offs, storm waters, urbanization, industrial discharges, deforestation, overfishing, habitat fragmentation and loss, and climate change are responsible for compromising the water quality of aquatic ecosystems, and life therein. Activities that impact freshwater systems change their temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and nutrients levels; resulting in alterations, degradation, eutrophication, sedimentation, and loss of plant and animal species. This review highlights the need for and suggests integrated policies that are focused on community participation and technological innovation as part of mitigative measures. There are serious and persistent gaps in basic information, especially, poorly monitored areas that require data collection and long-term ecological monitoring. Being able to deal with these challenges would help sustain the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems that need protection from increasing environmental changes.
Keywords: Water Quality, fish biodiversity, human activities
Assessment of Heavy Metal Distribution in Surface Water and Groundwater in The Region of a Salt Mine (Published)
Water quality is a big concern for the humankind as it is the most important natural resource. The quality of water is affected by anthropogenic activities carried which could render it unsuitable for human consumption. The present study assessed heavy metal distribution and toxicity in surface and groundwater resources of an area characterized by salt mining from brine ponds. Samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC) elemental compositions of: Ba, Mn, Fe, Cu, Sr, and Zn to assess their spatial distribution, sources, variability, toxicity and possible health risks. Median concentrations of Ba, Mn, Fe, Cu, Sr, and Zn in surface water was: 0.28, 3.63, 2.23, 0.03, 0.14 and 0.05 respectively while for groundwater, median concentration was: 0.65, 0.20, 1.16, 0.03, 0.83 and 0.11 respectively. In terms of suitability, concentrations of Mn, Fe and Sr in surface water, and that of Sr, in groundwater raises some quality concerns since they are all present in concentrations above the permissible limits for drinking water. Results of Corelation and Principal Component Analyses showed that source and mobility of these metals is linked to both geogenic (host rock weathering) and anthropogenic activities mainly associated with salt mining and processing in the region of a saline pond. Spatial distribution of concentration of these metals also shows higher concentrations in the immediate region of the salt mine especially in groundwater.
Keywords: Correlation Analysis, Heavy Metals, Principal Component Analysis, Salt mining, Water Quality