Heavy metal pollution status of a tropical fresh water lentic ecosystem Agulu lake, South-East Nigeria Nwani C.D. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Canal Ring Road, P.O. Dilkusha, Lucknow, 226002, India. Abstract A study was conducted between May 2006-April 2007 to determine the heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb and Cr) pollution status from four different stations of a tropical fresh water lentic ecosystem, Agulu Lake, South-East Nigeria. Out of the 48 samples of water analysed, Fe, Cu, Zn Mn, Pb and Cr were detected in 33, 30, 24, 21, 11 and 9 in concentrations ranging from 0.200 to 0.400, 0.040 to 0.065, 0.053 to 0.070, 0.012 to 0.030, 0.001 to 0.005 and 0.002 to 0.007 mg/l respectively. Results indicated that the concentrations of all the metals were within the WHO and FEPA prescribed limits for lentic water quality. These metals and the physicochemical parameters measured though did not vary among the stations showed significant seasonal variations (P<0.05). The toxicological implications of this finding in relation to aquatic ecosystem and human health are discussed. Top Key words Pollution, Heavy metals, Agulu Lake, Nigeria. Top |