Continental J.

Fisheries and Aquatic Science 4: 17 - 22, 2010

© Wilolud Journals, 2010.

NITRATE AND AMMONIUM – NITROGEN CONCENTRATIONS OF OGBA RIVER, BENIN CITY,

NIGERIA CONTAMINATED WITH INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS AND MUNICIPAL WASTES

Obhahie, A. I. 1 and Ugwu, L. L. C. 2

1
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Delta State University, P. M. B. 001, Abraka, Nigeria
2
Department of Animal Production and Fisheries Management, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B 053, Abakaliki,
Nigeria

ABSTRACT
The effects of industrial effluents and municipal wastes on the nitrate (NO3–) and
ammonium – nitrogen (NH4 – N) concentrations of Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria were
studied between September, 2004 and April, 2005. There were significant differences (P <
0.05) in the NO3– concentration of the river based on monthly water samples taken
between September and April 2004/2005; no significant differences (P > 0.05) were
recorded based on the four sampled stations [Waterworks (1), Off-Tradefair Centre (2),
50m to Drainage point (3) and Drainage point (4)]. The NH4 – N concentrations varied
significantly (P < 0.05) due to sampled stations (1 – 4) and due to the study period
(September to April). The lowest NO3– value (0.02 ± 0.01 mg.L-1) was recorded at Station
4 (Drainage) in April; while the lowest NH4 – N value (0.13 ± 0.01mg.L-1) was recorded
in Station 1 (Waterworks) in September. Similarly, the highest NO3– value (0.32 ±
0.03mg.L-1) was recorded at Station 3 (50m to Drainage point) in January; while the
highest NH4 – N value (0.84 ± 0.04mg.L-1) was recorded at Stations 2 and 3 in January.
The increase in mean values of NO3– in the river between Stations 1 and 4 corresponded
with the increase in the mean values of NH4 – N during the study. These results imply that
both water quality parameters responded similarly to the contamination of the river by
industrial effluents and municipal wastes. The range value of NO3– and NH – N in the
river were less than the 2.40mg.L-1 obtained by scientists for contaminated lakes and
therefore the Ogba River could still be relevant to fish culture.

KEYWORDS: Ogba River, Industrial effluents, Municipal wastes, Nitrate, Ammonium –

Nitrogen, Contamination.

INTRODUCTION
Studies have shown that aquatic ecosystems have constantly been altered by man and by natural activities
(Ademoroti, 1996; Henry et al., 2004; Ozmen et al., 2006). A number of studies have been reported on the
geochemistry of the River Niger including the report made by Martin (1982). Nriagu (1982) also studied and
reported on the chemical parameters of the river. The increasing level of industrial activity in Nigeria has
created a growing awareness for rational management of aquatic resources and the control of wastes discharged
into the environment, (Egborge, 1994)

The discharge of effluents from breweries, abattoirs, dyeing industries and tanneries into the Ikpoba River,
Benin City, Nigeria has greatly influenced the physicochemical characteristics of the river (Ogbeibu and
Ezenara, 2002). Changes in water quality due to industrialization and technological development are known to
affect fish and many benthic communities (Patil, 1976). The overall number of fish species recorded in rivers
affected by pollution from industrial activities was low when compared to other flood plain rivers in Africa
(Welcome, 1979). Victor and Tetteh (1988) reported a reduction in fish diversity associated with the discharge
of municipal wastes and industrial effluents pollution into the Ikpoba River, Benin City.

Fufeyin (1994) investigated the heavy metal concentration in some fish in Ikpoba River. He observed that
substances discharged into the river were fatal to fish; while the discharged organic matter was transformed to
such products as nitrites (0.20ml.L-1) and ammonia (0.012ml.L-1): which in such low concentrations were fatal
to fish (Post, 1987).

Some materials contained in the effluents discharged into ecosystems result in some deleterious effects on some
water quality parameters. Levels of un-ionized ammonia exceeding 0.012ml.L-1 are toxic to fish (Boyd, 1990).
Studies have shown that the use of fish and vertebrates as bio-indicators of water quality has been advocated by

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 Obhahie, A. I. and Ugwu, L. L. C: Continental J. Fisheries and Aquatic Science 4: 17 - 22, 2010

several workers, because they produce evidence of relatively stable concentrations compared to the analysed
water quality that only indicate short term conditions (Yamazaki et al., 1996: Ogbeibu and Victor, 198).

Against this background, this study was designed to investigate the nitrate and ammonia – nitrogen
concentrations of the Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria affected by industrial effluents and municipal wastes.
The essence was to ascertain the level at which the construction of a drainage to discharge wastes into Ogba
River has affected these important water quality parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out at four sampling stations selected along the Ogba River course in Benin City, Nigeria
for the study (Fig 1). The Ogba River runs through the west of Benin City and the four sampling stations [Ogba
Waterworks (1), Off-Tradefair Centre (2), 50m to Drainage point (3) and Drainage point (4)] are located north-
west of Benin. The river within this area is shallow, making the passage of boats and canoes difficult. Since
fishing activities in this area are difficult, no fishes were collected during the study.

Water samples were collected in September, January, February, March and April 2004/2005. Water samples
were collected in triplicates for each of the water parameters [nitrate (NO3–) and ammonium – nitrogen (NH4 –
N)] investigated and transported to the Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, in collaboration with
‘SOILAB’, Ring Road, Ibadan, Nigeria for analysis. Water samples were collected from each station by gently
dipping 250 ml glass bottle to a depth of 30 cm. air bubbles were carefully eliminated from each bottle by
corking under water.

The nitrate (NO3–) ion concentration of the water samples was determined colorimetrically using the Milton
Roy spectronic 2ID spectrophotometer. To determine the NH4 – N concentration, 1ml of Nessler’s reagent was
added to 50ml of water sample and an orange – brown colour was produced. The absorbance of the resultant
end-product was measured with a blue –colour filter.

Statistical Analysis
All the data obtained were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test levels of significance (P <
0.05) among treatment means (Steel and Torrie, 1990). The Duncan’s (1955) Multiple Range Test method was
also employed to partition the differences between treatment means.

RESULTS
The monthly and station values of the nitrate ion (NO3–) concentration of Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria are
shown in Table 1, Figs 2 and 3; and were recorded between September, 2004 and April, 2004 among the four
sampled stations. The values of the ammonium – nitrogen (NH4 – N) concentration of the river are shown in
Table 2, Figs 4 and 5.

The lowest NO3– value of 0.02 ± 0.01mg.L-1 was recorded in April at Station 4 (Drainage); while the highest
value (0.32 ± 0.03mg.L-1) was recorded in January at Station 3 (50m to Drainage point) (Table 1, Figs 2 and 3).
The mean monthly NO3– value also indicated that April recorded the least value (0.04 ± 0.02mg.L-1); while
February recorded the highest value (0.24 ± 0.03mg.L-1) (Table 1, Fig. 2). Among the four sampled stations;
both Station 1 (Waterworks) and 2 (Off-Tradefair Centre) recorded the least mean NO3– value (0.12 ±
0.02mg.L-1) within the study period (September to April); while the highest mean value (0.19 ± 0.02mg.L-1)
was recorded at Station 4 (Drainage point) (Table 1, Fig. 3). Statistical analyses of the data obtained indicated
that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the values of the NO3– concentration of the river based on
monthly sampling; while no significant differences (P > 0.05) were recorded in the NO3– values based on the
stations sampled (Table 1).

The lowest ammonium – nitrogen (NH4 – N) value of 0.13 ± 0.01mg.L-1 was recorded in September at Station
1 (Waterworks); while the highest value (0.84 ± 0.04mg.L-1) was recorded in January at both Stations 2 (Off –
Tradefair Centre) and 3 (50m to Drainage point) (Table 2, Figs 4 and 5). The mean monthly NH4 – N value also
indicated that September recorded the least value (0.22 ± 0.02mg.L-1); while January and February recorded the
highest values of 0.54 ± 0.04 and 0.55 ± 0.03mg.L-1, respectively. Among the four sampled stations; the
Waterworks (Station 1) recorded the least mean NH4 – N value (0.31 ± 0.02mg.L-1) between September and
April; while the Drainage point (Station 4) recorded the highest mean value (0.51 ± 0.03mg.L-1). Significant

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 Obhahie, A. I. and Ugwu, L. L. C: Continental J. Fisheries and Aquatic Science 4: 17 - 22, 2010

differences (P < 0.05) were obtained in the values of the NH4 – N concentration recorded due to the sampled
stations (1 – 4) and the study period (September to April) (Table 2).

DISCUSSION
Ammonia (NH3) as a waste product is produced by fish and by the breakdown of excess feed in water. Levels
of un-ionized ammonia exceeding 0.012ml.L-1 are toxic to fish (Boyd, 1990). Nitrate produced via bacterial
breakdown of waste products could be toxic to fish if levels greater than 0.02ml.L-1 are attained, (Fufeyin,
1994).

The range values of NO3– concentration recorded in the study was 0.02 ± 0.01mg.L-1 (Station 1) to 0.32 ±
0.03mg.L-1 (Station 3) (Table 1); while the range values of NH4 – N was 0.13 ± 0.01mg.L-1 (Station 1) to 0.84 ±
0.4mg.L-1 (Station 2 and 3) (Table2). These values were less than the 2.40mg.L-1 recorded by Hutchinson
(1967) for each parameter in tropical lakes. These results therefore imply that the Ogba River, Benin City could
still be used for fish culture when the concentrations of NO3– and NH4 – N in water are considered. Bausch and
Lomb (1974) reported that unpolluted waters should contain less than 0.5mg.L-1 NH4 – N concentrations.

The mean values of the NO3– concentrations of the river increased from the Waterworks ends (Station 1) to the
Drainage end (Station 4) (Table 2), and these values corresponded with mean the increases in the mean values
of the NH4 – N from Station 1 to 4 (Table 2). This implies that both the NO3– and the NH4 – N concentrations
of the river responded similarly to the inflow of industrial effluents and municipal wastes. It was apparent from
the results that there was a build-up of the NO3– and NH4 – N component of the water chemistry from low value
during the peak of rains in September, 2004 to high value during the dry season: between January and
February, 2005 (Tables 1 and 2). The decline in the values of NO3– and NH4 – N component of the river at the
four sampled stations (Tables 1 and 2) could be due to the on-coming rainy season between March and April in
Benin City. These results imply that the values of NO3– and the NH4 – N of Ogba River affected by industrial
effluents and municipal wastes are season dependent. Rainfall around Benin City tended to minimize the build-
up of the NO3– and NH4 – N concentration of the river, due probably to increased water volume and velocity.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

From the results of this study, it was evident that despite the contamination of the Ogba River, Benin City with
industrial effluents and municipal wastes via the constructed drainage system, the NO3– and NH4 – N
concentrations were less than the 2.40mg.L-1 recorded by scientists in contaminated lakes, (Hutchinson, 1967).
Hence the river could still be useful for fish farming purposes. Additionally, the fast flow of the river must have
considerably reduced the build-up of the NO3– (and consequently NO2–) and NH4 – N which are products of
microbial decomposition of organic wastes. The only problem associated with the river is that of silt which
come in through effluents and surface run-offs. It is therefore recommended that the since mistake has been
made by the Edo State Government, Nigeria to discharge wastes into the river, through a drainage system, there
is need to construct settling ponds or reservoirs to settle and de-silt the water before entry into the river. The
build-up of the NO3– and NH4 – N in the water during the dry season (January and February) could be
ameliorated by the introduction of some aquatic and terrestrial fungi into the settling ponds/reservoirs. These
fungi would take-up pollutants and break them into harmless residues. Other organic matter pollutants could be
broken down through self purification of the river with time (Nwokedi and Obodo, 1993; Ogbeibu and Ezenara,
2002).

REFERENCES
Ademoroti, C. M. A. (1996). Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Foludex press limited, Ibadan, Nigeria.
215 Pp.

Bausch, J. M. and Lomb, B. N. (1974). Manual on Water Technology, New York, USA 98 Pp.

Boyd, C. E. (1990). Water Quality in Ponds for Aquaculture. Alabama Aquaculture Experimental Station,
Auburn University, Alabama, USA. 75 Pp.

Duncan, D. (1955). Multiple range tests and multiple F-tests. Biometrics, 11: 1 – 42.

Egborge, A. B. M. (1994). Water pollution in Nigeria: Biodiversity of Warri River, Amik Press, Benin City.
122 Pp.

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 Obhahie, A. I. and Ugwu, L. L. C: Continental J. Fisheries and Aquatic Science 4: 17 - 22, 2010

Fufeyin, P. T. (1994). Heavy metal concentration in the sediments and fish species of Ikpoba Reservoir in
Benin
City, Nigeria. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Benin, Benin City. 212 Pp.

Henry, F., Amara, R., Corcot, L., Lacouture, D. and Bertho, M. L (2004). Heavy metals in four fish species
from the French coast of the Eastern English Channel and South Bright of the North Sea. Environment
International, 30: 675-683.

Hutchinson, G. E. (1967). A Treatise on Limnology: Vol. II. Introduction to Lake Biology and the
Limnoplankton. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 1115 Pp.

Martin, O. (1982). Geochemistry of the River Niger, Scope/Sounderband. Heft 52, Milt Geo-Palout Institute,
University of Hamburg, Germany. 35 Pp.

Nriagu, J. O. (1986). Chemistry of the River Niger: the Major Ions. Scientific Treatment of Environment 58: 89
– 91.

Nwokedi, G. I. C. and Obodo, G. A. (1993). Pollution of the River Niger and its tributaries. Department of
Pure
and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 48 Pp.

Ogbeibu, A. E. and Ezenara, P. U. (2002). Ecological impact of brewery effluents on the Ikpoba River using the
fish community as bioindicators. Journal of Aquatic Science, 17(1):35 – 44.

Ogbeibu, A. E. and Victor, R. (1989). The effect of road and bridge construction on the bank–root
macrobenthic
invertebrates of a Southern Nigeria stream. Environmental Pollution, 56: 85 – 100.

Ozmen, M., Güngordu, A., Kucukbay, F. Z. and Guler, R. E. (2006). Monitoring the effects of water pollution
on Cyprinus carpio in Karakaya Dam Lake, Turkey. Ecotoxicology 15: 157 – 169.

Patil, M. R. (1976). Pollution effects of industrial wastes of riverine fisheries of India. Symposium on the
Development and Utilization of Inland Fishery Resources. 27 – 29 October, 1976, Colombo
FAO/IPFC/76/Sym.24.

Post G. (1987). Textbook of Fish Health. T.F.H. Publications, New Jersey, USA. 316 Pp.

Steel, R. G. D. and Torrie, J. H. (1990). Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometric Approach.
McGraw–Hill, New York, 633 Pp.

Victor, R. and Tetteh, J. O. (1988). Fish communities of a perturbed stream in southern Nigeria. Journal of
Tropical Ecology 4: 49 – 59.

Welcome, R. I. (1979). Fisheries Ecology of Flood Plain Rivers. Longmans, London. 317 Pp.

Yamazaki, M., Tanizaki, Y. and Shimkawa, T. (1996). Silver and other elements in freshwater fish, Carassius
auratus Langsodorfill, from Asaka River in Tokyo, Japan. Environmental Pollution, 94(1): 83 – 90.

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 Obhahie, A. I. and Ugwu, L. L. C: Continental J. Fisheries and Aquatic Science 4: 17 - 22, 2010

0.2
0.3
NO3– 0.25 NO3– 0.16
Conc. Conc. 0.12
0.2
mg.L–1 mg.L–1 0.08
0.15

0.1 0.04

0.05 0
1 2 3 4
0
Sept. Jan. Feb. March April

Months Stations
Fig. 2: Monthly Nitrate Concentration Fig. 3: Stations Nitrate Concentration
0.6
0.6
NH4 – N 0.5 NH4 – N 0.5
Table 1. Nitrate Concentration (mg.L-1) of Ogba River,
Conc.Benin City, Nigeria
Conc. 0.4
0.4 Contaminated with Industrial Effluents and Municipal
–1 Wastes
mg.L –1 mg.L 0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0
1 2 3 4
0
Sept. Jan. Feb. March April

Monthly Stations
Fig. 4: Monthly Ammonium - Nitrogen Fig. 5: Stations Ammonium – Nitrogen
Concentration Concentration

Table 1. Nitrate Concentration (mg.L-1) of Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria Contaminated with Industrial
Effluents and Municipal Wastes

Months of Year Sampling stations Monthly

1 Unit
2004/2005 2 3 4 mean ( x )
September 0.05 ± 0.01a 0.08 ± 0.02a 0.10 ± 0.01a 0.15 ± 0.01b 0.10 ± 0.01 mg.L-1
a a b b
January 0.13 ± 0.01 0.12 ± 0.01 0.32 ± 0.03 0.30 ± 0.03 0.22 ± 0.02 mg.L-1
February 0.22 ± 0.02a 0.25 ± 0.04a 0.21 ± 0.02a 0.28 ± 0.02ab 0.24 ± 0.03 mg.L-1
March 0.10 ± 0.01a 0.12 ± 0.01a 0.14 ± 0.02a 0.18 ± 0.04ab 0.14 ± 0.02 mg.L-1
April 0.08 ± 0.03a 0.04 ± 0.01a 0.014 ± 0.01b 0.02 ± 0.01a 0.04 ± 0.02 mg.L-1
Stations mean ( x ) 0.12 ± 0.02 0.12 ± 0.02 0.16 ± 0.02 0.19 ± 0.02

1 = Waterworks, 2 = Off-Trade-fair Centre, 3 = 50m to Drainage point, 4 = Drainage, F-value (monthly = 15.00
(P < 0.05), F-value (station) = 2.40 (P > 0.05). Numbers in the same row followed by different superscripts
differ significantly (P < 0.05); Numbers in the same row followed by the same superscripts are not significantly
different (P > 0.05).

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 Obhahie, A. I. and Ugwu, L. L. C: Continental J. Fisheries and Aquatic Science 4: 17 - 22, 2010

Table 2. Ammonium – Nitrogen Concentration (mg. L-1) of Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria Contaminated with
Industrial Effluents and Municipal Wastes

Months of Year Sampling stations Monthly

Unit
2004/2005 1 2 3 4 mean ( x )
September 0.13 ± 0.01a 0.18 ± 0.01b 0.22 ± 0.02b 0.34 ± 0.02c 0.22 ± 0.02 mg.L-1
a
January 0.37 ± 0.03 0.84 ± 0.04b 0.84 ± 0.04b 0.61 ± 0.04c 0.54 ± 0.04 mg.L-1
a
February 0.50 ± 0.04 0.54 ± 0.03a 0.48 ± 0.03b 0.62 ± 0.03c 0.55 ± 0.03 mg.L-1
a
March 0.28 ± 0.01 0.24 ± 0.02a 0.37 ± 0.02b 0.44 ± 0.03c 0.33 ± 0.02 mg.L-1
a
April 0.25 ± 0.02 0.28 ± 0.02a 0.37 ± 0.02b 0.52 ± 0.04c 0.35 ± 0.03 mg.L-1
Stations mean ( x ) 0.31 ± 0.02 0.32 ± 0.03 0.46 ± 0.03 0.51 ± 0.03

1 = Waterworks, 2 = Off-Tradefair Centre, 3 = 50m to Drainage point, 4 = Drainage, F-value (monthly = 8.00
(P < 0.05), F-value (station) = 5.00 (P < 0.05); Numbers in the same row followed by different superscripts
differ significantly (P < 0.05); Numbers in the same row followed by the same superscripts are not significantly
different (P > 0.05).

Received for Publication: 20/04/2010

Accepted for Publication: 13/05 /2010

Corresponding Author
Obhahie, A. I.
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Delta State University, P. M. B. 001, Abraka, Nigeria
E-mail: obhahie@yahoo.com

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