Pollution Assessment of the Ebute Meta Creek Impacted by Domestic Sewage Lagos, Nigeria

摘要

The ecological and economic significance of creeks is of global importance to coastal areas. These advantages have been underutilized in many developing countries resulting in considerable pollution of its water ways. This study investigates the degree of pollution of the Ebute Meta creek system Lagos, southwestern Nigeria. Surface water, ground water, soil, sediment and plant samples were collected between the months of May and July 2011. Average surface water DO (2.39±1.45 mg/L), BOD (167±53 mg/L), COD (329±106 mg/L), NO_3~-(28.3±3.67 mg/L), NH_3 (22.3±4.8 mg/L) and (Pb 0.23±0.02 mg/L) levels indicated gross organic and metal pollution. Ground water similarly, showed elevated levels of BOD (12.9±0.7 mg/L), nitrate (36.1±5.35 mg/L) and ammonia (13.7±2.6 mg/L). Metal levels in surface water and sediment was strongly correlated (r=0.89). Topsoil and vegetation samples around the vicinity of the creek did not show any significant level of contamination. There was no significant differences (p=0.05) in surface and ground water quality among the sampling points. The creek water was classified as heavily polluted. This could affect the aquatic flora and fauna of the creek ecosystem. Remediation measures should be employed to clean up the water way system and the environment.