ABSTRACT
In this study, the TETFund Centre of Aquaculture and Food Technology's aquaculture tanks containing Clarias gariepinus are examined for heavy metal levels and water quality indicators. It also looks at the relationship between holding time and heavy metal accumulation in aquaculture tanks using water samples from five tanks at the TETFund Centre of Aquaculture and Food Technology. Water samples were taken from five fish tanks and compared to water from boreholes to assess differences in suspended particles, pH, conductivity, turbidity, calcium, magnesium, and heavy All of the tanks' pH values stayed fairly constant, somewhat acidic, and around the borehole water sample (6.55), according to the results. Compared to borehole water (40 µS/cm), conductivity in the tanks was substantially higher (210–250 µS/cm), indicating a larger concentration of dissolved ions. In addition, the tanks' turbidity values (132–174 NTU) were noticeably higher than those of the clean borehole sample (0 NTU), suggesting a high concentration of suspended particles. In contrast to the borehole's 2 mg/L, suspended solids showed a similar tendency, with tank values ranging from 87 to 105 mg/L, suggesting possible contamination or sedimentation problems. Water hardness was exacerbated by the fact that the amounts of calcium among the dissolved minerals in the tanks (14.27–17.07 mg/L) were substantially greater than those in the borehole water (0.41 mg/L). Additionally, although they stayed closer to borehole levels, magnesium concentrations fluctuated. Significantly higher concentrations of zinc (0.45–0.50 mg/L), lead (0.11–0.15 mg/L), cadmium (0.08–0.11 mg/L), iron (1.10–1.35 mg/L), and chromium (0.17–0.21 mg/L) were found in the tanks than in the borehole sample, according to heavy metal analysis. The high levels of lead and cadmium provide possible health hazards to fish and other aquatic life, thus more research into the origins of contamination—possibly from environmental leaching, plumbing, or feed—is required. All things considered, the study shows that although pH levels stayed constant, tank water's elevated turbidity, suspended particles, and heavy metal concentrations could be harmful to aquatic life. To maintain ideal conditions for aquaculture sustainability, regular monitoring and enhanced water management techniques are prerequisites.
