Assessment of Elemental and Microbial Quality of Lake Efi in Bayelsa State, Central Niger Delta, Nigeria

Efi lake of Bayelsa state, Nigeria, is emerging as a resource in the Niger Delta. It holds a great mythological significance, as well as a means of livelihood. This study assessed the Elemental and Microbial quality of the lake. Water Samples of the lake were collected upstream, midstream and downstream in March 2015, and similarly analyzed following standard protocol. Results showed that, compared to iron which ranged from 0.034 - 0.74 mg/l, copper, mercury and lead were below detection limits, while Cadmium (0.00 - 0.057 mg/l), Chromium (0.00 - 0.137 mg/l) and Zinc (0.00 - 0.231 mg/l) occurred in very low concentrations (P < 0.05). The physicochemical parameters showed that temperature, pH, conductivity and TDS ranges as; 28.36 - 30.10oC, 6.55 - 7.20, 48.13 - 68.93 μS/cm, 54.25 - 102.92 mg/l respectively; while turbidity, DO and Nitrate ranges as 7.87 - 17.29 NTU, 9.07 - 19.52 mg/l and 1.34 - 2.82 mg/l respectively (P < 0.05). Total heterotrophic bacteria and fungi were 0.44 - 1.159 X 106 and 0.46 - 0.86 X 104 Cfu/ml respectively. Furthermore, the total and feacal coliforms were 76.72 - 260.23 and 53.67-157.02 MPN/100 ml MPN/100 ml respectively. The results generally indicate mild anthropogenic activities in the lack. Hence, robust government andcommunal laws should be enforce to protect this potential eco-tourist area.

کلیدواژه ها:

Niger Delta ، Efi Lake ، microorganisms ، physico-chemistry ، Heavy metals