Plankton composition and heavy metal concentrations in fish from Bundu-Ama Creek, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Abstract

This study examines plankton composition and diversity as well as the heavy metal concentrations in fish from Bundu-ama creek, rivers State, Nigeria. The heavy metals tested were Nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results for the heavy metals are as follows; Ni was below detectable limit throughout the points in the first month, while in the second month and third month it ranged from (0.038±0.046mg/kg to 0.0213±0.037mg/kg), Cr ranged from (0.029±0.006mg/kg to 0.409±0.0386mg/kg), Cu ranged from (2.116±0.773mg/kg to 3.467±0.248mg/kg), Zn ranged from (3.393±0.280mg/kg to 2.75±0.844mg/kg) and Cd was below detectable limit. The highest phytoplankton species identified belongs to the family Bacillariophyta, while the highest zooplankton species identified belongs to the family Copepoda. Heavy metals were above WHO limits indicating that the creek is polluted due to anthropogenic activities in the area and consumption of the fishes may be considered unsafe.