Social-ecological study of Agboyi creek, Lagos state, Nigeria

Abstract

The usage of the creek that 72.4% (181) respondents did their laundry on the creek, while 27.6% (69) bathe directly in the creek. Ten (4%) respondents used lavatory, while 90% defecate into the creek using several methods. Water and fish samples were collected for the period of 18 months in order to measure the environmental pollution caused by the discharge of domestic waste. The data collected revealed that the dissolved oxygen (DO) content (3.25±0.26 and 3.50±0.08) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (25.56±0.10 and 18.17±0.05) were generally low while nitrate (NO3) (2.40±0.89 and 5.24±0.46), ammonia (NH3) (4.51±0.89 and 4.66±1.30) and phosphate (PO4) (2.52±0.23 and 2.96±0.15) were high for both dry and wet seasons. Low fish catch was observed during the study with tilapia zillii having the highest weight (5.85±0.09kg and 12.30±0.32kg) during wet and dry seasons. Linear correlation model of the data revealed that the creek was negatively impacted by pollutants from discharged domestic wastes which has led to euthrophication and low fish catch (r =0.43). This study revealed the social activities of the community (such as discharge of feaces, waste water from personal washing, laundry, food preparation and cleaning of kitchen utensils) as it affect the ecological status of Agboyi creek. Therefore, there is need for monitoring and control of domestic waste discharge into the creek at all times.

Key Words: Agboyi creek, ecological status, social status, human waste.