Ikem Kris Eloka Ekweozor

Rivers State University · Department of Animal And Environmental Biology

The Okpoka river and the Amadi creek are tributaries of the upper bonny estuary. The study is aimed at identifying the intertidal polychaete species and their abundance in these areas, and using them as indicators of pollution. Three stations were sampled for 6 months on a monthly basis at Marine Base, Abuloma and Kalio-Ama. Results gotten from Wat...

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of organic nutrient supplements and bioaugmenting microorganisms on crude oil polluted soils. Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Agriculture Demonstration Farm, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt Nigeria. Methodology: Baseline study of a deliberately polluted agricultural soil was invest...

Aim: The present study aims to determine the condition factor incomplete of Tilapia guineensis and Sarotherodon melanotheron in Sombreiro River across Buguma, Abonnema and Degema communities in Rivers State. Study Design: This study employs fieldwork, laboratory experimental design, statistical analysis and interpretation of data. Place and Duratio...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the relationship between lifestyles, household and household wastes, by exploring possible future development path for the lifestyle and the possible consequences for household waste composition. The study predicates on a reasonably simple and straightforward idea that the waste generated from homes...

The concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Fe, Al and V) in surface water and sediment and their sediment enrichment factor were determined in Soku oil field area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Surface water and sediment were collected in duplicates, bimonthly from four stations from July 2017 to May 2018, upstream and downstream of the Soku oil field....

Keywords:Abundance, Diversity, Plankton, Ekerekana and Okochiri creeks Introduction The Ekerekana and Okochiri creeks in the upper Bonny Estuary, Rivers State, Nigeria is prone to effluent discharge from industries located in the area. The plankton of the creeks and the adjoining river were assessed for diversity and abundance. Twenty three station...

Heavy metal (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni) concentrations were determined in the leaves, stems and roots of fluted pumpkin, harvested from Egi community, Rivers State. Samples were collected from four (4) different locations, namely: Location 1 (New Elf Road), Location 2 (Ugada Imeagi), Location 3 (Egita Land) and Control (Ohali-Elu). All samples were...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show impacts of household wastes handling on some physicochemical parameters of surface water, soil, sediments and borehole water samples in Port Harcourt. Waste generated from the households are indiscriminately dumped on roads, stream channels, bush lands and open spaces thus defacing the landscape of the...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) also known as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are class of organic chemical consisting of two or more fused aromatic rings.The concentration of PAHs in surface water of Elechi creek in the Niger Delta detected the 16 priority PAHs outlined by WHO and USEPA at three stations -NAPAS Company Station 1, Master...

Gills, intestine and muscle samples of O niloticus, water and surface sediments of Azuabie Creek and a central station were collected and analysed for Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd using AAS model 210VGP Buck Scientific USA. Heavy metal concentrations in fish muscle show high concentration especially Pb which is far above the 0.5 mg/kg permissible limit of FAO...

Background: It is evident that Ekerekana Creek in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State serves as the reciepient water body (environment) where petroleum Refinery effluent / run off are discharged. A study was conducted on Ekerekana Creek and its adjourning rivers (Okochiri, Okari-Ama and Ogoloma Rivers) to determine the effect of refinery e...

This study was focused on the concentration, accumulation and health risk assessment of edible tissue of Periophthalmus papillo in the Elechi Creek complex. Samples of sediment and Periophthalmus papillo were collected monthly for six months from five stations: Station 1 (Eagle Cement water front), Station 2 (Saipem water front), Station 3 (Master...

The compilation constituted my research efforts and those of the various students that worked with me for their undergraduate and postgraduate research. The study covered for a period of more than 25 years.

Keywords:Abundance, Diversity, Plankton, Ekerekana and Okochiri creeks Introduction The Ekerekana and Okochiri creeks in the upper Bonny Estuary, Rivers State, Nigeria is prone to effluent discharge from industries located in the area. The plankton of the creeks and the adjoining river were assessed for diversity and abundance. Twenty three station...

The arrival of exotic marine species in a new area increases with proximity to seaports, thereby raising seaports bio-security concerns. The objective of this study is to show theoretically, how the paradigms of ‘spatial sorting’, ‘Swiss cheese model’ and ‘ tens rule’ could be used to determine the invasion potentials of planktonic species introduc...

In order to assess the prevalence of nonzoonotic soil-transmitted helminths in the Yenagoa Metropolis, 480 soil samples were collected from five communities for 12 months. The soil samples were collected along two transects from the waterfront and community playgrounds. Analysis was by standard methods. The results obtained from the study described...

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to assess the effect induced by diazinon principally on heamatological indices of C. gariepinus. The fish was exposed to varying concentrations levels of the toxicant (1.00ppm, 5.00ppm, 7,50ppm and 10.0ppm) for 30 days. There was general fluctuation in values of haematoloical parameters. ESR, MCH and MCHC had sligh...

Sublethal effects of various concentrations of fertilizer effluents on the tail beat frequency per minute (TBF min.-1) and opercular beat frequency per minute. (OBF min-1) of Orechromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus and hybrid (Heterobranchus bidorsalis (female) x C. gariepinus (male)) were examined in a static 96hr. bioassay under laboratory condi...

Selected hematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus exposed to sublethal concentrations of the dispersant goldcrew were measured weekly for four consecutive weeks under a static renewal condition in order to simulate possible effects of clean-up operations in the aquatic environment. Hemoglobin (Hb) hematocrit (PCV), red blood cell count (RBCC)...

In order to assess the prevalence, distribution and epidemiology of non-zoonotic soil-transmitted-helminths, 295 primary school pupils, aged 8-19 years were randomly selected from five primary schools in the Yenagoa Metropolis, Niger Delta. Stool samples collected were analyzed by the direct wet smear technique, while the socio-demographic data wer...

Elevated levels of heavy metals in the catfish Synodontis clarias can be a good indication of pollution of an aquatic ecosystem due to anthropogenic influence. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and Ni were determined in Synodontis clarias caught along a section of Taylor Creek and its associated tributaries. Samples were collected bimonthly betw...

Elevated levels of heavy metals in the catfish Synodontis clarias can be a good indication of pollution of an aquatic ecosystem due to anthropogenic influence. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and Ni were determined in Synodontis clarias caught along a section of Taylor Creek and its associated tributaries. Samples were collected bimonthly betw...

Two creeks (Azuabie and Obufe) in the upper Bonny Estuary, Nigeria were studied to determine how industrial and other anthropogenic activities have influenced their relative sediment qualities. Total organic carbon, total hydrocarbons, zinc, lead, cadmium and iron were significantly higher in the Azuabie creek, while phosphate, nitrate, copper and...

Acute static bioassay was employed to assess the toxicity of the various ranges of effluents from the National Fertiliser Company of Nigeria (NAFCON) plant to three aquaculture fish species (Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus and hybrid (Heterobranchus bidorsalis x C. gariepinus) from the coastal estuaries of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria....

Acute static bioassay was employed to assess the toxicity of various ranges of effluent from the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON) plant to three fish species: Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus and hybrid (Heterobranchus bidorsalis ♀ x C. gariepinus ♂) from the coastal estuaries of the Niger Delta area, Nigeria. The lethal con...

Acute static bioassay was employed to assess the toxicity of various ranges of effluent from the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON) plant to three fish species: Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus and hybrid (Heterobranchus bidorsalis x C. gariepinus) from the coastal estuaries of the Niger Delta area, Nigeria. The lethal concent...

ABSTRACT Assessment of crude petroleum uptake was undertaken using grasshoppers (Zonocerus variegatus, L.) exposed to feeding on leaves of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.). Natives of some states in the Northern region and some parts of the Niger Delta and the middle belt eat grasshoppers as snacks and as meat supplements. It therefore became...

The acute toxic effects of a Nigerian crude oil (Egbogoro Liner II) to the mangrove oyster Carasostrea gasar were studied in bioassays. Tests were conducted over a 96-hr period after acclimatization of individuals in the laboratory, initially with a population comprising a broad size categories (11 - 60 mm) in range finding tests. The tests were se...

The distribution, abundance and taxonomic diversity of phytoplankton were studied in relation to the water quality of Elechi Creek Complex, in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Elechi Creek Complex is characterized by the presence of waste dump sites, sewage and industrial waste discharges in addition to dense riverine settlements. Surface water and phyt...

Blood cell profile among experimental rabbits associated with crude oil ingestion were evaluated and was significantly (P<0.05) altered. Erythrocytes decreased linearly (P<0.05) indicating an anemic condition. The decrease also affected dependable factors such as packed cell volume (PVC) and haemoglobin (Hb). Leukocyctes, the main defense cells of...

Abstract Acute toxicity experiments (96hr bioassays) were conducted to determine the toxicity of crude oil and mixtures of crude oil and the dispersant, Corexit 9527 to the mangrove oyster Crassostrea gasar. The rates of net uptake of hydrocarbons were also determined in treatments containing crude oil only and crude oil + dispersant mixtures. The...

The concentrations of water-soluble fractions (WSF) of used and unused lubricating (engine) oil in brackish water were determined by infra-red spectrophotometry. Dilutions of the stock WSF (100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20% and control) were used to carry out a 96hour aerated and unaerated static bioassay on Oreochromis niloticus (L) fries. The LC50 for the...

Most of the problems associated with domestic waste management are due to lapses in governmental policies and programs. Therefore, the Government of Nigeria should encourage private domestic waste-management firms, with expertise in handling the waste generated by diverse human settlements/activities. The decentralization of industrial and infrastr...

The effects of the ingestion of oil-contaminated feeds an egg production of poultry birds (Gallus domesticus) were investigated. The results indicated that those birds which ingested the treated feeds laid means of 5.0, 2.7 and 1.9 eggs for the 0.75ml/300g, 15ml/300g and 3.0ml/300g treatment levels, while the control laid 8.0 eggs per ten (10) bird...

The distribution of Podagrica species on three varieties of okra in poly-cropped farms in seven states of the Niger Delta varied. Red okra had the highest numbers of flea beetles, followed by Chuku-chuku, Lady's Finger had only very low infestation. Two sampling methods were compared and the mirror count method gave significantly higher insect numb...

The distribution of Podagrica species on three varieties of okra in polycropped farms in seven states of the Niger Delta varied. Red okra had the highest numbers of flea beetles, followed by Chuku-chuku. Lady's Finger had only very low infestation. Two sampling methods were compared, and the mirror count method gave significantly higher insect numb...

Pollution levels of some physicochemical parameters in surface waters of Etelebou oil field environment were studied. The results obtained showed that the pollutants analysed such as total hydrocarbons, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand were above national and international standards. The concentrations at the flowstation area the area to...

The total hydrocarbon concentrations (THC) in water and sediment at an obviously oil polluted industrial jetty and three other relatively unpolluted control sites along Elechi Creek off Bonny Estuary were sampled bimonthly for 8 months (October 1996 – May 1997). During the same period, sampling with drag net monitored the distribution of mullet spe...

The mangrove oyster Crasostrea gasar from the lower Bonny Estuary was studied with respect to lead in its environment, Concentrations of lead were measured in the organisms from sites in the lower Bonny Estuary. The concentrations of lead were determined in the tissues, shell, water and sediments using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The trend...

Abstract The mangrove oyster Crassostrea gasar from the lower Bonny Estuary was studied with respect to its morphometry. 1,265 individual oysters were analysed over a 12-month sampling period. The oyster was categorized as having a total shell weight of 9.19 ± 0.19g. Empty shell weight of 7.39 ± 0.15g, shell length of 3.93 ± 0.04cm, and tissue wei...

A rapid sublethal increase in temperature from 25oC – 36oC imposed stress on juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) than on juvenile Tilapia species (Tilapia niloticus L.). both species suffered hyperglycermia, hypocholesterolemia, increased blood haemoglobin, together with decreased blood sugar regulatory precision. The tilapia species reco...

Diet compounded from two different protein sources (Soya bean and shrimp meal) were used to feed Macrobrachium vollenhovenii. The inclusion of juvenile Macrobrachium vollenhoveniiat four different levels (30%, 35%, 40% and 45%) in experimental tank of 5ppt salinity, while the control was fed tadpole. The water temperature was 24.22 – 24.26oC, disso...

The effect of feeding crude oil contaminated forage on organ weights and haematological characteristics of young West African dwarf (WAD) goats were investigated to stimulate the real impact of crude oil spillage on livestock and game. The levels of inclusion in the silage/hay (1:1) mix were 0.0% (control), 0.15 and 0.3% crude oil in the three diet...

Abstract Studies on the composition and structures of the fouling organisms in the upper Bonny Estuary were conducted using 20cm x 20cm wooden panels. Two sets of panels were submerged, one in April (wet season) and the other in November (dry season) . Variations in settlements due to depth were studied on panels submerged at 0.5m and 4.5m depth be...

The effect of Nigerian crude oil on Tympanotonus fuscatus (L.) was studied using various size classes (1.0 – 6.0cm) and concentrations (36.0 – 1996ppm). One hundred randomly selected organisms were exposed to the oil-sediment substrate for 7 days. The results showed that 34% of the specimens used were of the 3.1 – 4.0cm size class range while 27% a...

The mean low tidal (MLTL) and the mid tidal (MTL) levels of six transects sited at Iwofe, Port Harcourt, Okrika Creek, Okrika Jetty, Ford Point and Bonny along the Bonny Estuary in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria were sampled every two mont hs for one year. Within the period, rainfall data, salinity of overlying water, sediment particle size and pe...

The total hydrocarbon concentration (THC) in water and sediment of a site suspected to be chronically polluted by hydrocarbons and two other relatively unpolluted control sites along Elechi Creek in Port Harcourt were sampled once every two months between April – October 1989. During the same period, the distribution and diversity of littoral macro...

Littoral infaunal density was recorded from December 1983 to October 1984 throughout the Bonny Estuary in the Niger delta, Nigeria, to provide a baseline for the monitoring of oil pollution. Results on the most abundant faunal elements, polychaetes and the fiddler crab Uca tangeri L., are presented. In the upper reaches, polychaete density peaked i...

On 24 April 1984 a barge sank in the Bonny Estuary, spilling 250 barrels of Nigerian crude oil. The incident occurred in an area where a baseline survey was already in progress. These data, plus additional studies at the spill-site enabled the impact of the incident to be determined. At the spill-site there was a near to total elimination of the li...

Blood cell profile among experimental rabbits associated with crude oil ingestion were evaluated and was significantly (P<0.05) altered. Erythrocytes decreased linearly (P<0.05) indicating an anemic condition. The decrease also affected dependable factors such as packed cell volume (PVC) and haemoglobin (Hb). Leukocyctes, the main defense cells of...