Physicochemical Quality of the Water and Heavy Metal Contamination of the Sediment, Water, and Flesh of Some Fish in the Lower Reaches of the Mono River (Benin, West Africa)
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the physicochemical quality of the water and the heavy metal of the sediment, water, and flesh of two species of fish most commonly consumed by residents in the lower reaches of the Mono River. To this end, four stations (Ahossanou, Codjohoué, Athiémé, Grand-Popo) were selected and surveyed during high water (October to December 2021) and low water (January to March 2022) seasons to measure physicochemical parameters and examine the ichthyofauna in artisanal catches. Water samples were taken to measure the biological oxygen demand (BOD5), nitrite and nitrate levels. Additionally, samples of sediment, water, and fish flesh were taken to analyze heavy metal concentrations (lead and cadmium). The BOD5 concentrations exceeded 30 mg·L-1, indicating poor water quality. All nitrite and nitrate levels were within acceptable limits (3.28 and 44.28 mg·L-1, respectively). The potential ecological risk posed by sediment contamination ranged from low during high water to considerable during low water seasons. Measured lead and cadmium concentrations in the water exceeded permissible limits (0.05 and 0.005 mg·L-1, respectively). Brycinus macrolepidotus and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus were the most abundant fish species caught in the Mono River. While cadmium levels in the fish flesh were below the WHO/FAO standard (0.05 mg·kg-1), lead concentrations exceeded the WHO/FAO standard (0.3 mg·kg-1). The study concluded that consumption of fish from the lower Mono River poses health risks to local communities.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Adje, K., K. Ouro-sama, H.D. Solitoke, G. Tanouayi, S. Agbere, T.E. Badassan, H. Ahoudi and K. Gnandi. 2021. Assessment of trace elements contamination of Nangbeto Lake sediments (Togo). Environnement, Ingénierie and Développement 85: 12–25. (in French).
Agblonon Houelome, T.M., T.P. Agbohessi, D. Adandedjan, R. Nechifor, A. Chikou, I.M. Lazar and P. Lalèyè. 2022. Ecological quality of the Alibori River, northern Benin, using macroinvertebrate indicators. African Journal of Aquatic Science 47(2): 173–184. DOI: 10.2989/16085914.2022.2044749.
Agbohessi, P.T., I.I. Toko, A. Ouédrago, T. Jauniaux, S.N.M. Mandiki and P. Kestemont. 2015. Assessment of the health status of wild fish inhabiting a cotton basin heavily impacted by pesticides in Benin (West Africa). Science of the total Environment 506: 567–584. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.11.047.
Amoussou, E., P. Camberlin and G. Mahé. 2012. Impact of climate variability and the Nangbéto dam on the hydrology of the Mono-Couffo system (West Africa). Hydrological Sciences Journal 57(4): 805–817. DOI: 10.1080/02626667.2011.643799.
Attingli, A.H., S. Ahouansou Montcho, H. Agadjihouede and A.P. Lalèyè. 2017. Determining physicochemical parameters and water pollution status of fishing zones in the Lower Ouémé Valley, Benin. Afrique SCIENCE 13(1): 13–23. (in French).
Baglo, I.S. 2022. Impacts of anthropogenic activities on water quality and fish community stucture in the lower Mono River basin in Benin. Master Thesis, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin. 61 pp. (in French).
Barnabé, G. 2022. Production and purification, a miracle limited by pollution. In: Climate and ecological emergencies: solutions from the ocean (ed. G. Barnabé), pp. 173–184. EDP Sciences, Paris, France. (in French).
Biney, C.A.A.T., A.T. Amuzu, D. Calamari, N. Kaba, I.L. Mbome, H. Naeve, P.B.O. Ochumba, O. Osibanjo, V. Radegonde and M.A.H. Saad. 1994. Review of heavy metals in the African aquatic environment. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 28(2): 134–159. DOI: 10.1006/eesa.1994.1041.
Blanc, G., J. Schafer, S. Robert, S. Audry, C. Bosy, G. Lavaux and J.P. Lissalde. 2005. Cadmium behavior in the Lot-Garonne-Gironde system. AdourGaronne 92 :18–20. (in French).
Brussels Environment (BE). 2016. States of the Brussels Environment, Indicator: Chemical quality of surface waters. Water and the aquatic environment. https://environnement.brussels/sites/default/files/user_files/ee22_fm_sw_physicochimie_fr_0.pdf. Cited 20 Jun 2023. (in French).
Chouti, W., N. Chitou, N. Kelome, B.H. Kpako, D. Honvou Vlavonou and M. Tossou. 2017. Physicochemical characterization and toxicity study of the Togbin coastal lagoon in Grand-Popo (southwest, Benin). European Scientific Journal 13(27): 131–151. DOI: 10.19044/esj.2017.v13n27p131. (in French).
Chouti, W.K. and E. Hounkpèvi. 2018. Chemical and bacteriological quality of water from the Mono River, southwest Benin. Afrique Science 14(5): 23–32. (in French).
Corriveau, J. 2009. Study of toxic nitrite concentrations in streams in an agricultural watershed. Ph.D. Thesis, Université du Québec INRSETE, Québec, Canada. 144 pp. (in French).
Damy, P.C. 2011. Summary of Knowledge Origin and Availability of Cadmium in Continental Waters. AgroParisTech-ENGREF, Paris, France. 39 pp. (in French).
De Kinkelin, P. and J. Petit. 2018. Diseases and disorders caused by water quality. In: Fish Health Management (ed. C. Michel), pp. 209–249. Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement, Paris, France. (in French).
Degila, H.W., N.B.N. Azon, J.G. Adounkpe, A.V.O. Akowanou and M.P. Aïna. 2019. Mercury: emission sources, toxicity, contamination of the aquatic environment and the Benin region in particular. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 13(7): 3429–3448. DOI: 10.4314/ijbcs.v13i7.36. (in French).
Diop, C., A. Diatta, A. Ndiaye, M. Cabral, A. Toure and M. Fall. 2019. Trace metal levels in water and fish from five Dakar ponds and risks to human health. Journal of Applied Biosciences 137: 13931–13939. DOI: 10.4314/jab.v137i1.1. (in French).
El morhit, M., M. Fekhaoui, A. Serghini, S. El blidi, A. El abidi, R. Bennaakam, A. Yahyaoui and M. Jbilou. 2008. Impact of hydraulic engineering on water and sediment quality in the Loukkos estuary (Atlantic coast, Morocco). Bulletin de l’Institut Scientifique, Rabat, Section Sciences de la Terre 30: 39–47. (in French).
Ennouri, R., M. Sami and C. Lassaad. 2013. Metallic contamination of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and sardinella (Sardinella aurita) in the Gulf of Tunis. Cybium 37(1-2): 49–58. (in French).
Erasmus, V.N., S. Hamutenya, J.A. Iitembu and J.C. Gamathama. 2018. Mercury concentrations in muscles and liver tissues of Cape monkfish (Lophius vomerinus) from the Northern Benguela, Namibia. Marine Pollution Bulletin 135: 1101–1106. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.037.
Fisheries Production Department (FPD). 2019. Annual report of activities 2018. Fisheries Production Department, Cotonou, Benin. 115 pp. (in French).
French Institute of Education (Ifé). 2010. Water quality standards. http://eduterre.ens-lyon.fr/thematiques/hydro/travail-coop/normes/clasqual. Cited 5 Feb 2023. (in French).
ha Dang, T. 2011. Erosion and transfers of suspended solids, carbon, and metals in the Red River catchment from the Sino-Vietnamese border to the delta entrance. Ph.D. Thesis, Université Bordeaux 1, Bordeaux, France. 352 pp. (in French).
Häkanson, L. 1980. An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control: A sedimentological Approach. Water Research 14: 975–1001. DOI: 10.1016/0043-1354(80)90143-8.
Konan, K.S., K.B. Kouamé, F.K. Konan, K.C. Boussou and K.L. Kouakou. 2021. Pollution of water for domestic use by trace metal elements from anthropogenic activities: the case of the fleuve Sassandra sub-catchment upstream of the Buyo dam, Ivory Coast. International Association of Hydrological Sciences 384: 85–92. DOI: 10.5194/piahs-384-85-2021. (in French).
Kondo, K.F., K.M. Afiademanyo, K. Ouro-Sama, H.D. Solitoke and K. Gnandi. 2021. Heavy metal contamination levels in clams (Galatea Paradoxa, Born 1778) and surface sediments from Mono river estuary, Togo, and its health implications. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 11: 81–94. DOI: 10.5194/piahs-384-85-2021.
Lalèyè, K.R., H. Agadjihouèdé, D. Lédéroun, T.A. Houélomè, A. Chikou and A.P. Lalèyè. 2022. Impact of fluvial-laguna sand mining on the physicochemical quality of water in aquatic ecosystems in southern Benin. Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement 26(2): 121–135. DOI: 10.25518/1780-4507.19771. (in French).
Lederoun, D. 2015. Ichthyofauna of the Mono River basin (Benin and Togo), diversity, ecology and anthropic impacts. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Liège, Liège. Belgium. 396 pp. (in French).
Lederoun, D., E. Vreven, P. Vandewalle, J. Moreau and P. Lalèyè. 2021. Spatial and temporal variations of fish communities in the longitudinal gradient of the Mono River (Benin and Togo: West Africa). Cybium 45(2): 123–140. DOI: 10.26028/cybium/2021-452-005.
Lederoun, D., J. Snoeks, P. Lalèyè, P. Vandewalle and E. Vreven. 2018. An updated checklist of the ichthyofauna of the Mono River basin (Benin and Togo: West Africa). Ichthyological Explororation Freshwaters 28(2): 135–156.
Lévêque, C. and D. Paugy. 2006. Geographic distribution and affinities of African freshwater fishes. In: Fishes of African Continental Waters: Diversity, Ecology, Human use (eds. C. Levêque and D. Paugy), pp. 59–74. Institute of Research for Development, Paris, France. (in French).
Moruf, R.O. and V.F. Akinjogunla. 2019. Concentration of heavy metals in sediment of two interconnecting brackish/freshwater lagoons and the bioaccumulation in the crustacean, Farfantepenaeus notialis (Pérez-Farfante, 1967). Journal of Fisheries and Environment 43(3): 55–62.
Noppe, K. and J. Prygiel. 1999. Metallic contamination of fish in the Artois-picardy basin: help for the manager in interpreting the results. Bulletin de la Société zoologique de France 124(4): 397–409. (in French).
Paugy, D., C. Lévêque and G.G. Teugels. 2003a. West African Freshwater and Brackish Fish Fauna, Vol. 1. Tropical Fauna and Flora Collection n°40. Tervuren, Royal Museum for Central Africa, National Museum of Natural History, Institute of Research for Development, Paris, France. 457 pp.
Paugy, D., C. Lévêque and G.G. Teugels. 2003b. West African Freshwater and Brackish Fish Fauna, Vol. 2. Tropical Fauna and Flora Collection n°40. Tervuren, Royal Museum for Central Africa, National Museum of Natural History, Institute of Research for Development, Paris, France. 815 pp.
Pinay, G., C. Gascuel, A. Ménesguen, Y. Souchon, M. Le Moal, A. Levain, C. Etrillard, F. Moatar, A. Pannard and P. Souchu. 2017. Eutrophication: Manifestations, Causes, Consequences and Predictability. Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France. 148 pp. (in French).
Rurangwa, E., J. van den Bergm, P. Lalèyè, A.P. Van Duijnm and A. Rothuis. 2014. Exploratory mission: Fishing, fish farming, and aquaculture in Benin. A quick scan of the area for possible interventions. https://edepot.wur.nl/300319. Cited 19 Jun 2023. (in French).
Rodier, J., B. Legube and N. Merlet. 2016. Water Analysis: Control and Interpretation. Dunod, Paris, France. 1759 pp. (in French).
Tahiri, L., L. Bennasser, L. Idrissi, M. Fekhaoui, A. El Abidi and A. Mouradi. 2005. Metal contamination of Mytilus galloprovincialis and sediments in the Bouregreg estuary (Morocco). Water Quality Research Journal 40(1): 111–119. DOI: 10.2166/WQRJ.2005.011. (in French).
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). 1992. Guidelines for Water Reuse. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., USA. 247 pp.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). 2004. Guidelines for Water Reuse. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., USA. 480 pp.
Vodougnon, H., D. Lederoun, G. Amoussou, D. Adjibogoun and P. Lalèyè. 2018. Ecologic stress in fish population of Lake Nokoué and Porto-Novo Lagoon in Benin. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 6(3): 292–300.
World Health Organization, and Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO). 2019. The general standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed, Codex Standard 193-1995, was Adopted in 1995. fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252FStandards%252FCXS%2B193-1995%252FCXS_193e.pdf. Cited 18 Sep 2023.
World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and Union Européenne (WHO/FAO/UE). 2021. Commission regulation 2021/1323 of 10 August 2021 amending regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels for cadmium in certain foodstuffs. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R1323&from=FR#:~:text=Compte%20tenu%20des%20effets%20toxiques,%CE%BCg%2Fkg%20de%20poids%20corporel. Cited 21 Feb 2024. (in French).
Yèhouénou, E.A.P., P.A. Edorh, P. Azehoun, M.N. Van Straallen, B. VanHattum and C.A.M. Van Gestel. 2014. Pesticide residues in sediments and aquatic species in Lake Nokoué and Cotonou Lagoon in the Republic of Bénin. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 186: 77–86. DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3357-2.