THE PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE SUITABILITY OF AFRICAN CATFISH EFFLUENT AS IRRIGATION WATER SOURCE IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The reuse of catfish pond effluent by irrigation can make a significant contribution to the integrated management of our water resources. The study was done to evaluate African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) quality pond effluent quality and its suitability for irrigation. Forty (40) samples were collected from five ponds. Physical and chemical parameters of catfish effluent samples from selected earthen ponds were determined in accordance with the American Public Health Association standards. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that there were variations in the chemical constituents of the effluent measured in the selected ponds. The mean values of physical and chemical parameters ranged as pH (6.2 – 8.1), total dissolved solids (140 -307 mg/l); suspended solids (32 – 78 mg/l), electrical conductivity of water (0.21 – 0.48 mmhos/cm), alkalinity (45 – 138 mg/l), total nitrogen (4.5 – 6.9 mg/l), total phosphorus (0.11 – 0.35 mg/l), sodium (11 -31 mg/l), calcium (24.1 – 69.0 mg/l), potassium (0.16 – 0.41 mg/l), magnesium (8.2 -12.0 mg/l), carbonate (8 -40 mg/l), bicarbonate (20 – 95 mg/l), chloride (10.4 – 25.8 mg/l), boron (0.2 – 0.4 mg/l) and biochemical oxygen demand (4.4 – 8.2 mg/l). All were within acceptable limits. The African catfish effluents in the studied earthen ponds are classified as C1 – S1 water. Hence there are none degree of restriction in the application of catfish effluent for irrigation.