River Benue Research Articles

Evaluation of Water Quality Suitability in River Benue at Makurdi for Aquaculture Production in Benue State, Nigeria

The production of fish depend totally on the water quality parameters. Water samples of river Benue at Makurdi was assessed for its suitability for the survival of the fish population in the river. To ascertain the health status and integrity of River Benue at Makurdi, water samples were collected monthly from River Benue at Makurdi for a period of one year (January 2012-December2012). The results of the physico-chemical parameters indicate the river water samples with the following characteristics: Conductivity (50.63±6.03μS/cm), pH (6.60±0.19), TDS (29.63±4.29mg/L),TSS (42.95±5.32mg/L), Colour (265.66±36.57TCU), Turbidity (57.71±6.96NTU), Temperature (27.96±0.45C), Bicarbonate (120.63±14.16mg/L), Chloride (112.39±16.03), DO (4.32±0.59mg/L), BOD (1.88±0.40mg/L), COD(4.07±0.82mg/L),Nitrate (2.38±1.01mg/L), Sulphate (5.58±1.35mg/L), and Phosphate (0.46±0.11mg/L) The mean values were generally within the WHO and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality accepted maximum limit except for colour and turbidity. The result of ANOVA for all the parameters was significant during the seasons (P˂0.05), except for TDS, TSS and temperature (P˃0.05). However at the station temperature, bicarbonate, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate and copper were not significant (ANOVA, P˃0.05). It is recommended that the discharged of effluents and other waste into the River Benue should be controlled and enforced.

English

Indiscriminate dumping of wastes into rivers without control measures is widely practiced in the developing nations of the World as it is observed in River Benue at Makurdi. To ascertain the health status and integrity of River Benue at Makurdi, water samples and sediments were collected monthly from five different locations on the shoreline of the river for a period of two years (July 2011-June 2013). The physico-chemical quality of the water samples were examined using standard methods. The sediments were examined for the presence and absence of macro benthic fauna. The mean values were generally within the WHO and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality accepted maximum limit except for colour and turbidity. The result of ANOVA for all the parameters was significant during the seasons (PE‚0.05), except for total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS) and temperature (PEƒ0.05). Across the locations temperature, bicarbonate, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate and copper were not significant (ANOVA, PEƒ0.05). The result of the sediments showed that a total of 4,451 macro benthic fauna individuals comprising of 4 phyla and 21 taxa were obtained. Among this benthic fauna group, Athropoda had the highest population of 90.15%, Annelid 4.74%, Mollusca 3.39% and Platyhelminthes 1.7%. A significant relationship at some instances was noticed between benthic fauna group and some environmental variables indicating relationship between benthos and hydrochemistry of River Benue. It is recommended that the discharge of effluents and other waste into the River Benue should be controlled and enforced. Key words: River Benue, physico-chemical, macro benthic fauna, relationship.

Physicochemical Quality Assessment of Pollutants in River Benue Water in Jimeta/Yola Metropolitan, Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria

River Benue has been the second largest river in Nigeria that serves as the major source of municipal water supplies for domestic and irrigation for towns and villages residing along its water course. Samples of water at seven locations from the river were collected for a period of seven months (dry season) when water demand is high in Jimeta/Yola metropolitan area in Northeastern Nigeria and were analyzed using standard methods to determine physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentrations in the water. Turbidity, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids and nitrate are in the range (106.4 – 383.2NTU), (403.3 – 1291mg/l), (370.3 – 983.8mg/l), (223.0 – 1391.6mg/l) and (1.03 – 55.84mg/l) respectively. Results of heavy metals concentrations are Mn (0.0004 – 2.04mg/l), Cu (0.0003 – 1.53mg/l), Cd (0.0002 – 0.59mg/l), Cr (0.0002 – 0.36mg/l) and Pb (0.0002 – 0.12mg/l) and are in the order Mn > Cu > Cd > Cr > Pb. The results revealed that physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentrations in the river are slightly higher above the maximum permissible limits set out by Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) and WHO (2004) Standards. From the present study, it could be concluded that River Benue is moderately polluted with regard to heavy metals in Jimeta/Yola metropolitan area. Moderate level of pollution in River Benue water calls for sensitization of users to safeguard public health treats

Heavy Metal Concentration Levels in Soil at Lake Geriyo Irrigation Site, Yola, Adamawa State, North Eastern Nigeria

The study assessed the physicochemical parameters and mean concentration levels of heavy metals in soil at two selected wastewater receiving sites and control site of Lake Geriyo irrigation project in order to determine the extent of heavy metal pollution due to wastewater irrigation using standard methods. The pH values at the River Benue, Shinko and control site soils were slightly acidic to neutral with mean value of 6.85, 5.75 and 7.0 respectively. Mean electrical conductivity values were 1.08µs/cm, 1.54µs/cm and 1.95µs/cm and organic matter levels are 0.75%, 2.11% and 3.5%. The textural classification of the soils revealed that the soils are predominantly sandy in nature with 56.4%, 55.6% and 50.4% sand, 20%, 16.0% and19% are clay, while 24.0%, 28.4% and 30.0% are silt. The mean concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni) recorded in River Benue site soil are 86.89mg/kg, 74.38mg/kg,12.76mg/kg, 15.08mg/kg, 9.83mg/kg, 11.0mg/kg, 7.17mg/kg and 18.73mg/kg. Shinko site recorded concentration levels of 292.7mg/kg, 309.2mg/kg, 130.9mg/kg, 253.8mg/kg, 199.2mg/kg, 158.7mg/kg and 74.43mg/kg respectively, while the control site soil had concentration levels of Fe 58.48mg/kg, Zn 39.44mg/kg, Mn 7.13mg/kg, Cu 9.40mg/kg, Cd 7.62mg/kg, Cr 9.82mg/kg, Pb 6.28mg/kg and Ni 17.62mg/kg. The result showed that the concentrations of heavy metals at River Benue and Shinko site soils are more polluted than the control site soil with Shinko site soil exhibiting high levels of heavy metals concentration. Comparative analysis of this study and International threshold values of heavy metals concentration levels in soil revealed that most of the parameters at Shinko site soil are elevated above the EU, USA and UK Standards. Future study is hereby recommended to focus on the impact of heavy metal concentration on irrigated vegetables as some may find their way into the food chain and cause public health hazards to consumers.

Assessing Community Perception and Attitude towards Flooding in the Lower Benue River Basin, Nigeria

In the Lower Benue River Basin, the majority of the population derives their livelihood from subsistent farming and fishing. With climate change expected to result in increased flooding, the impacts on these poor rural farmers will be significant and since adaptation is not cheap, prioritizing responses by sectors becomes essential. Such an analysis can bring to the fore the sectors that are most affected and by implication sectors of importance to the community. Two communities: Wadata and Anyim were selected for survey. Health, housing, agriculture, economic activities, transportation and water are the sectors evaluated. Results reveal agriculture; housing; and economic activities as the worst affected sectors. In furtherance, we argue that prioritization of adaptation by sectors can provide immediate relief for victims. Vulnerability in the region is exacerbated by ‘late’ and ‘historic incorrect’ environmental change communication. Household insurance is non-existent and somewhat non-customary thus, financial adjustments are presumably made with household savings or assets disposal.

Reconstruction of the evolution of the Niger River and implications for sediment supply to the Equatorial Atlantic margin of Africa during the Cretaceous and the Cenozoic

Abstract This paper presents a reconstruction of the palaeodrainage evolution of the Niger River in West Africa in order to contribute to the understanding of sediment supply to the Niger Delta. It has been covered extensively in literature that the Niger River has undergone changes along its course in the Holocene, as implied by the large bend it makes in Mali. However, other enigmatic bends further downstream are indicative of an older and more complicated history that has yet to be understood, and is the focus of this paper. Until now, sediment supply from the Niger River has been considered as being negligible compared to that of the Benue River. The results of this study imply that the contribution from the Niger River was more important than previously thought. The Niger River obtained its present-day geometry in three phases: a Bida Basin phase (Maastrichtian–Miocene); a Iullemmeden Basin phase (Miocene–Pleistocene); and a present-day Niger River phase (Holocene). In the Miocene, an important capture event occurred, increasing the incipient drainage basin by 10 6 km 2 , thereby changing the provenance of the sediment supplied to the Niger Delta from mainly crystalline basement to mixed lithologies including sandstone, shale, limestone and volcanic outcrops.

GIS Based Assessment of Flood Risk and Vulnerability of Communities in the Benue Floodplains, Adamawa State, Nigeria

The focus of this study is to assess the 2012 floods incidence that swept the communities along the coastal areas of Nigeria as well as those along the valleys of the major rivers in the country. It was observed in the study that the floods at the valleys and downstream of River Benue were seriously devastating following the release of water from the Lagdo dam that was located at the upstream of River Benue in the Republic of Cameroon. The method of data collection employed in this study is the application of Geo-information techniques which involves the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) to capture the coordinates of 120 communities which cut across the seven LGAs located along the valleys of River Benue in Adamawa State. These communities were linked to a generated digital map of River Benue valley using ArcGIS software to assess each of the communities for flood vulnerability. Vulnerability was classified into four: highly vulnerable, vulnerable, marginally vulnerable and not vulnerable. The major findings revealed that all the 120 communities in the area were described as vulnerable to flood, that is, they are either highly vulnerable, vulnerable or marginally vulnerable. 29 communities representing 32.5% were located on highly vulnerable areas, 35 communities (representing 29.17%) were found to be located within the Benue Basin but outside the buffer zones which are classified as vulnerable areas, while the remaining 46 communities (38.33%) were located on the plains which are classified as marginally vulnerable areas. Escape routes and good sites for refugee camps during floods were also identified while database creation and analysis for flood vulnerability were also developed. It is therefore, recommended that all the settlements that were highly vulnerable be relocated to higher grounds to prevent future occurrence, while the communities that are located within the Benue Basin but outside the buffer zones should employ the use of GIS tool for effective planning and proper early warning systems.

Analysis of Land Use/Land Cover Pattern along the River Benue Channel in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Uncontrolled human development without adequate consideration for the environment has led to incessant loss of land cover and natural resources such as water in many parts of the world. Consequently, human and environmental challenges of varying magnitude are rapidly emerging. Interestingly, only few efforts are channelled towards the reclamation of the deteriorating land cover pattern and control of future environmental damages, particularly in the developing countries. This study analyses the land use and land cover pattern along the River Benue channel in Adamawa State, Nigeria between 1988 and 2003. Landsat TM satellite image of 1988, Landsat ETM of 2003, and Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) image of the Upper Benue Catchment area were utilize in the study. The study was carried out with a view of classifying the land use and land cover types in the area; examination of land use and land cover changes between 1988 and 2003; generation of contour and elevation maps for the area; and modelling of the terrain of the area using the Digital Terrain Model (DTM). The Upper Benue catchment area was extracted from the Nigeria catchment map, contour map and DTM were also generated in ArcView 3.2 GIS environment. Supervised classification method was adopted to classify the landsat imageries into six (6) classes using ILWIS 3.2 academic GIS software. The implication of the spatial pattern of land use and land cover in the area are accelerated socio-economic activities, shortage of food, prevalence of drought conditions, paralyzed inland water transportation, desertification and increase in temperature. The study concluded that there is need for a balance between human development, land use planning, and water resource management. Therefore, recommendations were given to ensure sustainable development in the region. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n5p95

Characterization and Classification of River Benue Floodplain Soils in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

Characterization and Classification of River Benue Floodplain Soils in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in Anyigba and Lokoja, Kogi State – Nigeria

Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in Anyigba and Lokoja, Kogi State – Nigeria

Proximate composition and mineral content of the Fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) from River Benue, Nigeria.

Proximate composition and mineral content of the Fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) from River Benue, Nigeria.

Proximate composition and mineral content of the Fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) from River Benue, Nigeria.

The nutritional composition and mineral contents of the fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) from Lower River Benue was investigated. This was carried out using the methods outline in Association for Official Analytical Chemist (A.O.A.C. 1995) in the Vertinary Research Institute Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. The results obtained showed that the snail contained 76.32%±0.84 moisture, 10.67%± 0.15 protein, 0.06%± 0.02 lipids, 5.54% ±0.11 ash, 0.03%± 0.01 crude fiber and 7.40%± 0.06 Nitrogen free extract. The following minerals were found to be present in the snail. These were calcium 129.18± 0.77mg/100g, potassium 71.13 ±0.51mg/100g, phosphorous 60.52 ±0.35mg/100g, iron 10.19 ±0.19, sodium 0.04± 0.01mg/100g, magnesium 31.19± 0.57mg/100g and zinc 1.31± 0.03mg/100g. This study therefore places P. ampullacea as a good source 0f major and micro- elements and a good source of healthy food for proper growth and development of the body. Its production either from the wild or cultured environment could be a good source of income for the teaming population.

Causes of seasonal flooding in flood plains: a case of Makurdi, Northern Nigeria

This study assessed several factors and their implication for flooding in Makurdi which is located in the flood plains of the River Benue. The annual rainfall of Makurdi between 1979 and 2008 was analysed for annual totals, intensity, frequency, peak periods and trend to demonstrate propensity to cause flooding while records on relief, water table, urbanisation and the river Benue were examined for their contribution. This study has identified amongst other things that areas of low relief in Makurdi are susceptible to seasonal flooding between June and October annually. The study also identified the causes of floods and factors which intensify floods in Makurdi town. Heavy, intense rainfall and the River Benue spilling its banks are the major causes of floods in Makurdi town. Other factors which intensify flooding in Makurdi town include its low relief, high water table, urbanisation and human activities.

Studies on the Range of Plankton in River Benue, North Central, Nigeria, Western Africa

Studies on the Range of Plankton in River Benue, North Central, Nigeria, Western Africa

Haematological reference ranges of cultured Clarias gariepinus in the Lower Benue River Basin, Nigeria

Blood samples were collected from 170 cultured African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) to establish haematological baseline values of this important tropical pisciculture fish species in the Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The total red blood cell count and the total white blood cell count were obtained by haemocytometry, while the packed cell volume and haemoglobin were obtained by microhaematocrit and cyanomethmoglobin methods, respectively. The results obtained varied between gender and age and were as follows: total red blood cell count, 1.72 ± 0.34 × 106/mm3 in juveniles and 4.50 ± 0.57 × 106/mm3 in adults; total white blood cell count, 15.50 ± 1.15103/mm3in juvenile and 16.41 ± 1.21 × 103/mm3in adults; packed cell volume, 30.08 ± 7.78 % in juveniles and 39.59 ± 3.93 % in adults; haemoglobin, 9.43 ± 3.45 g/dl in juveniles and 10.99 ± 3.29 g/dl in the adults; mean corpuscular volume, 173.75 ± 41.93 fl in juveniles and 87.01 ± 14.37 fl in adults; mean corpuscular haemoglobin, 51.11 ± 13.10 pg in the juveniles and 26.81 ± 8.61 pg in the adults, while the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values obtained are 32.61 ± 10.42 g/dl in the juveniles and 33.80 ± 10.0 g/dl in the adults.

Central Nigeria unmasked: arts of the Benue River valley

Central Nigeria unmasked: arts of the Benue River valley

The challenge of ethnic diversity and HIV prevalence in Nigeria

British colonial research put the number of ethnic groups in Nigeria at 200 in 1914-1934; Otite Onigu identified 374 ethnic groups in 1980s while M. Onwuejeogwu listed over 480 ethnic groups in 1990s. This makes Nigeria to be the most culturally diverse nation in the world. This diversity produces various shades of inter-ethnic conflicts and challenge of programmatic interventions to counter culturally specific unwholesome practices. This paper focuses on the influence of cultural and ethnic diversities in producing diverse HIV epidemic rates across the nation. Findings show a clear higher HIV prevalence rate in zones and states with significant higher levels of ethnic based violence especially in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benue, Niger, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Cross River States. North East and west have the most conglomerations of ethnic groups and also the highest HIV prevalence rates. But beyond data observation, there is no significant causal relationship between ethnic concentration producing violence and HIV prevalence but rather the conceptually known routes of sexuality, condom use are more predictive of HIV prevalence. The conclusion is that since sexuality issues is still very important in predicting HIV risk, Nigeria will do the best by prioritizing HIV prevention through the BC strategy especially targeting the 15 years and above population. Key words: Ethnic group, sexuality, condom, ABC strategy.

Study on the Distribution of Heavy Metals in Different Tissues of Fishes from River Benue in Vinikilang, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Aims: This study is aimed to determine the levels of some heavy metals in different species of fish and to compare the results with other standard values. Study Design: The gills, liver, stomach, kidney, bones and flesh of four common fish species (Tilapia zilli, Clarias anguillaris, Synodentis budgetti and Oreochronmis niloticus) were collected for analysis of heavy metals. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in River Benue, Vinikilang, Adamawa State, Nigeria between the periods of January 2011 to January 2012. Methodology: Sample collection and preparations were carried out using standard procedures. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb were carried out using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS, Unicam 969). Results: Iron was the most abundant metal in the studied tissues of all the fish species. In the fishes analyzed Fe accumulation was the maximum in all the organs but its highest Research Article British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 2(4): 311-333, 2012 312 value of 12.65 μg/g was significantly observed in the Gills of Synodentis budgetti (p liver>stomach>kidney>bones>flesh. The gills of all the fish tend to accumulate significant high levels of heavy metal than other tissues. Accumulation of metal in different species is the function of their respective membrane permeability and enzyme system, which is highly species specific and because of this fact metals accumulated differently in the tissues of fishes as observed in the study. Conclusion: Based on the above results, it can therefore be concluded that metals bioaccumulation in the entire fish species study did not exceeds the permissible limits set for heavy metals by FAO, FEPA and WHO. Therefore these fishes are fit for consumption.

Bioaccumulation of Some Heavy Metals in Fish Samples from River Benue in Vinikilang, Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study was aim to determined the levels of some heavy metals in the gills, liver, stomach, kidney, bones and flesh of four fish species (Tilapia zilli, Clarias anguillaris, Synodentis budgetti and Oreochronmis niloticus) collected at River Benue in Vinikilang, Adamawa State, Nigeria for analysis of Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb. These metals were chosen because at higher concentrations there might be toxic to the fish and by extension humans that depends on such fish as food. The concentrations of the metals were carried out using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS, Unicam 969). Large differences in trace metal concentrations were observed between different tissues within each fish. The highest concentration of Fe (12.65 μg/g) was recorded in gill of Synodentis budgetti, while the lowest value of 0.68 μg/g was recorded in the flesh of Oreochronmis niloticus. The liver of Synodentis budgetti accumulates significant higher levels of Mn and Cd than other species; Fe and Zn was highest in the stomach of Tilapia zilli, while Clarias angullaris shows more of Cr, Pb, Cd and Co. The stomach of Synodentis budgetti accumulate significant higher levels of Fe than other species; Zn was highest in the stomach of Tilapia zilli, while Clarias angullaris shows more of Mn, Cr, Cu, Cd and Pb. Similarly, the bone of Synodentis budgettiaccumulates significant higher levels of Mn and Cd than other species; Zn and Fe were highest in the bone of Tilapia zilli, while Clarias angullaris shows more of Cr, Pb, Ni, and Co. The highest levels of Fe (12.65 μg/g) observed in this study was recorded in the gill of Synodentis budgetti and it was below the high residue concentrations of Fe (34 - 107 ppm) in fish samples. Based on the above results, it can therefore be concluded that metals bioaccumulation in the entire fish species study did not exceeds the permissible limits set for heavy metals by FAO, FEPA and WHO.

Spatial and Temporal Variation in Water Quality of River Benue, Nigeria

The study investigates the spatial and temporal variation in water quality parameters at ten different locations along River Benue for twelve consecutive months. In order to explore the spatial variation among different stations and seasonal changes, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to group these on the basis of spatial similarities. MANOVA on season and station shows that there is no significant difference between the stations investigated while there is for the seasons. This could be viewed as a resulting from the narrow spatial sampling interval (12 km at 0.7% total length of River Benue). However, discriminate analysis identified all the parameters to discriminate between the three seasons with 99.2% correct assignations. Two discriminate functions were found and the total variance cumulative was 100% between seasons. The first function explained 64.8% of the total variance between the seasons while the second function explained 35.2%. Total solids (TS) were the highest contributor in discriminate functions 1 and 2. Therefore, discriminate function analysis would enable us to predict the likely season a water sample from metropolitan Makurdi was collected given the values of the water quality parameters. It also enables us to conclude that all the parameters were responsible for significant seasonal variations in River Benue water quality.