Practical Skills Transfer to Undergraduate Students; On Physicochemical and Biological Parameters as an Indication of Lagos Lagoon Health Status

Abstract

Editor's Note: This article describes a project funded through the 2016 ASLO Global Outreach Initiative. To impart practical skills to undergraduate students on industrial work experience scheme (IT). To train them on the basic skills of determination of physicochemical and biological parameters of marine waters and the importance of such monitoring. To familiarize them with equipment used in pollution monitoring. Six samples sites (see Fig. 1) were chosen based on anthropogenic activities going on there. The sites are easily accessible from land (getting insurance for the students to go off shore will be beyond the budget of this project), one of the sites Sarkin Baka jetty was accessed from NIOMR research vessel RV Bayagbona. These are sites with unique characteristics as they receive water from the lagoon and ocean. This will also afford better understanding of the level of pollution of the coastal water bodies, especially in highly urbanized and industrialized Lagos area. Hence these studies are very crucial for the management of living and non-living resources of the coastal water bodies. Map showing sampling sites. Ngozi Oguguah teaching students how to take water samples at NIOMR jetty. Dr. Wilfred-Ekpirikpo demonstrating to students the proper way of taking atmospheric temperature at Tarzan Jetty. Miss Adefolake Ayorinde showing the students the different biological indicators in the water at Tarzan jetty. Some of the students and instructors on board NIOMR research vessel RV Bayagbona. Sampling is being carried out weekly with IT students from various universities. We are also going to some selected universities to conduct workshops on practical water monitoring because we found out that due to financial constraints a lot of the students will not be able to come to our institute. Students are also taken aboard a research vessel and shown how it works. Students are taught pre-survey preparations; and at the sampling stations, proper way of taking sample, sample preservation; and different ways of measuring physicochemical and biological parameters. Analysis that are been carried out on sample water are temperature, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, DO, Conductivity, Salinity, Total Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, and heavy metals. Undergraduate students from different universities in Nigeria have been acquiring practical marine research skills on determination of suitability waters for aquaculture (fish culture and cage culture) as well as studies of marine biology. As most of them are in their penultimate year, their research skills have been enhanced and they are better equipped for careers in marine sciences. The knowledge gained by the students from the training is expected to impact positively on their school and community. The students have also been encouraged to join ASLO as student member therefore be exposed to the great opportunities and network therein. Ngozi M. Oguguah, Nigerian Institute For Oceanography and Marine Research Lagos Nigeria; ngozimoguguah@yahoo.com Peace C. Wilfred-Ekpirikpo, Nigerian Institute For Oceanography and Marine Research Lagos Nigeria Adefolake Ayorinde, Nigerian Institute For Oceanography and Marine Research Lagos Nigeria