QUALIFICATION OF THE TOTAL HYDROCARBON AND ANIONSCONTENTS IN THE SURFACE WATER OF ISOLO L.G.A., LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA FOR SCHOOLS PEN AQUACULTURE

Abstract

The unemployment situation in Nigeria has assumed a national crisis dimension. The Federal Government of Nigeria in attempt to mitigate the problem introduced fishery in the senior secondary schools as a means of acquiring vocational skills necessary for fish production on graduation. Good quality water is a key factor in aquaculture development. This study therefore analysed hydrocarbon (THC) and anions (NO₃^- SO₄^2- PO₄^3- and THC) contents of surface water in Isolo L.G.A. for effective aquaculture development in secondary schools in the study area. The research area was mapped out into 5 research cells, and from each of the cells water samples were randomly collected from ten (10) sampling sites; bulked and a composite drawn for analysis. The analytical methods adopted were CAEM 4500 p-D, CAEM (2^nd edition) colorimetric method with UV visible spectrophotometer 939 model and APHA SO₄^2-. The mean results obtained were NO₃^- 66.266± 2.608, SO₄^2- 4.66± 0.333, PO₄^3- 0.700± 0.160 and THC, 0.302± 0.025. The results were further subjected to test of significance with F- distribution and t-test statistics with df 4 and 0.05 level of significance. The F- Calculated value was 5.342 and F-table value was 9.276. The t-test calculated value was 0.3725 and t-table value was 3.182. These results revealed no significant difference indicating that the anions and THC concentration of Isolo surface water are still within the WHO/FME maximum permissible value. Based on the result of the analysis, it is recommended that pen aquaculture can be readily adopted for schools in Isolo L.G.A of Lagos State.