The Effects of Water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms) Infestation on the Physico-Chemistry, Nutrient and Heavy Metal Content of Badagry Creek and Ologe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

摘要

Some physico-chemistry, nutrients and heavy metal content of Badagry Creek, Ologe Lagoon, Agbara and Ojo were compared to ascertain the effects of water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) on these variables of the water bodies. Three of the water bodies (Ologe Lagoon, Agbara and Badagry Creek) have water hyacinth infestation and the control (Ojo) was free from water hyacinth through out the period of the study. This study was carried out between January, 2010 to August, 2010. Eleven physico-chemical parameters, 4 nutrients and 5 heavy metals were measured. The observed values shows that their was significant difference (p-1), salinity (5.00±1.69 ppt), total hardness (1848±396 mg L^-1) and Total dissolved solid (5460±841 mg L^-1) were recorded in Ojo which has no water hyacinth infestation while the lowest values {conductivity (183±81 μS cm^-1), salinity (0.11±0.01 ppt), total hardness (87±8 mg L^-1) and total dissolved solid (92±15 mg L^-1)} were obtained in Agbara which is one of the sampling stations with water hyacinth infestation. However, BOD was highest in Agbara (97.38±28.60 mg L^-1) but lowest in Ojo (35.37±9.67 mg L^-1). Sulphate and chloride were significant (p<0.05) among the sampling stations while magnesium was the only significant (p<0.05) heavy metal. Although, water hyacinth may have negative impacts on water quality, its ability to passively absorb heavy metals and nutrients can be put into good use.