Ero Dam: Scientists call for caution, sustainable action against environmental pressure

A recent scientific study led by Dr. Mattew Ogundiran a seasoned Environmental Scientist from Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomosho and Dr. Stephen Awogbami an environmental toxicologist and Public Health specialist from College of Health Sciences and Technology Ijero-Ekiti recently published in the Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences has highlighted growing environmental concerns surrounding Ero Dam in Ikun-Ekiti, Nigeria.

The investigation presents valuable insights into water quality, aquatic life, and ecosystem health. The research emphasizes the need for proactive measures to safeguard the dam’s ecological balance and the health of surrounding communities.

The study explored three primary aspects: the physico-chemical characteristics of the dam water, the nutritional and toxicological status of commonly consumed fish species, and the presence of parasites within these species.

Water Quality Concerns: Findings indicate that some water parameters—such as turbidity, conductivity, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and heavy metal levels—exceeded the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

Lead levels, for example, ranged from 0.04 to 0.20 mg/l, surpassing the safe threshold of 0.01 mg/l. Similar exceedances were noted for mercury and manganese. These results suggest a need for improved environmental oversight and waste management in the region.

Trace Metals in Fish: Fish species commonly harvested from the dam—Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia mosambis, and Clarias gariepinus—were found to contain varying levels of heavy metals.

While these species remain nutritionally rich, the study advises caution regarding the accumulation of metals in certain parts of the fish. Specifically, it recommends that consumers remove parts such as gills and skin prior to preparation to help minimize exposure to possible contaminants.

Parasitic Load in Fish: A higher-than-expected rate of parasitic presence was recorded among the sampled fish, particularly clarias gariepinus, where 89.5% of individuals examined were found to carry internal parasites.

These findings may reflect ecological stress within the aquatic environment, potentially influenced by pollution and changing habitat conditions.
Implications for Public and Environmental Health

The results of this study raise important points for consideration. While the fish remain a valuable protein source and the dam continues to serve multiple community needs, careful attention should be paid to long-term exposure risks and ecological sustainability.

Continued consumption of untreated water or unprocessed fish may pose incremental health concerns, particularly in sensitive populations.

Likewise, a reduction in aquatic biodiversity or signs of fish stress may be early indicators of ecosystem imbalance, which could be mitigated through timely intervention.

To ensure continued benefit from Ero Dam while addressing the emerging challenges, Dr Stephen Awogbami recommended the following:

Stronger Regulatory Oversight: Strengthening the enforcement of environmental regulations to prevent indiscriminate waste discharge into the dam.

Sustainable Monitoring Systems: Implementing regular biomonitoring of water, aquatic species, and surrounding activities to support informed policy decisions.

Community Education: Promoting public awareness on best practices in water usage, sanitation, and environmentally safe fishing techniques.

Discouraging Harmful Harvesting Practices: Avoiding methods such as the use of poisons, electric currents, or chemicals during fishing operations.

Safe Consumption Practices: Encouraging appropriate handling and processing of fish, especially avoiding consumption of parts that may concentrate harmful substances.

The researchers encourage collaboration among government agencies, local communities, and civil society to support a balanced and sustainable approach to managing Ero Dam. They mentioned that the findings of this study intended to provide a foundation for practical steps toward preserving the health of the environment and its people.

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