ISSN: 2265-6294

Guidance And Counseling Artisanal Fisher Folks on The Dangers of Chemical Fishing at Nsidung Beach Henshaw Town, Calabar South, Cross River State, Nigeria

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Okpechi, Philip A,Effiom, Bassey Ekeng,Ben Otu Diwa,Maria, E. Ngwu,Ogar, Amba. A,Okpechi, Ajah Philip

Abstract

Research was conducted in March to June of 2020 to ascertain the levels of heavy metals concentration in Nsidung Beach river tributaries, Calabar after chemical poisoning with “Sniper (Dichlorvous)” and a local weed “Agerantum conyzoides” leaf paste for a period of three months. The sniper was applied each day of the months by the fisher folks. After every month’s application (March to June), river tributaries A1, A2, A3, and A4 were established, where water and caught fish samples were collected 2 and analyzed for heavy metals concentration and their values compared with the critical intake values recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). A control water and caught fish samples were collected outside the tributaries of the river where no chemical treatment was applied. Ten metals analyzed includes: Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Vanadium (V), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (Ar) and Zinc (Zn). The results showed that all the metals differ in their various concentrations and at varying river tributaries sampled. All the metals had their maximum concentration in tributary A4 and in the month of April. The highest values recorded for Pb, Ni, V, Cd, and Hg were 0.30g, 0.384, 0.242, 0.138 and 0. 166mg/l for fishes respectively.

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