Comparative study of harvested surface and ground water for aquaculture usage In Imo State.

Comparative study of harvested surface (rain) and ground (borehole) water was carried out in the three agricultural zones of Imo State, namely: Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri. Water samples were collected using standard sampling methods from the different locations and examined for suitability for aquaculture use. Physico-chemical parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, total dissolved solids, conductivity, hardness and chlorine were analyzed in-situ and in the laboratory using standard methods. Results obtained were analyzed statistically using ANOVA at 0.05 level of significance. Results obtained from the study showed that the physico-chemical parameters of surface and ground water were not significant (p>0.05) except conductivity which was higher in ground water samples. The ground water temperature recorded during the study period was within the range of 26.55±0.55oC (Okigwe) and 26.78±0.57oC (Owerri) and between 26.78±0.57oC (Okigwe) and 30.3±0.85oC (Owerri) for surface water. The overall mean water temperature for Okigwe was 28.18±1.87oC, 28.6±1.9oC fort Orlu and 28.8±2.21oC for Owerri. The highest dissolved oxygen content (6.9±0.50mg/l) was recorded in the surface water at Okigwe while the least DO value (5.3±0.33mg/l) was observed in the ground water at Orlu. The pH values for the different water samples varied between 6.63±0.15 and 6.96±0.11 for surface water and between 6.83±0.45 and 7.23±0.5 for ground water with an overall mean of 6.91±0.33 in Okigwe samples, 7.1±0.16 in samples from Orlu and 6.91±0.33 from Owerri. In general, all the water parameters tested were within the normal limits for use in aquaculture activities. Thus, fish farmers may utilize both borehole and rain water to grow fish in these different locations.