Research & Projects

This group work was undertaken during  IMBRSea Joint School at Tjarno Marine Biological Laboratory, Sweden. 

Paracetamol can adversely affect various aquatic species by disrupting physiological functions and entering the marine food web through bioaccumulation. This scientific study aims to investigate the effects of short-term exposure to varying concentrations of paracetamol on calanoid copepod populations to determine potential ecological risks. The study found that as the concentration of the toxicant increased, mortality rates among the calanoid copepods also increased, indicating a dose-dependent relationship.  Based on the study’s findings, calanoid copepods can be used as bioindicators of paracetamol in marine environments, as they are highly responsive to the increasing concentration of the toxicant. 

This study was undertaken during my internship at the Institute of Marine Science, Lerici, Italy. It is part of a larger marine environment survey undertaken by the University of Capetown, South Africa.

To develop sustainable marine ecosystem management strategies, I investigated microfibres extracted from commercial fish guts along the South African coast. My research findings contributed to understanding the extent of microfibre contamination in South African coastal waters, particularly among commercially important fish species.

Microplastics enter the environment through various sources, including sewage treatment plants. These treatment plants play a crucial role in microplastics transportation and distribution, as many plastic debris such as microbeads and artificial fibers find their way into them. This study has shown that untreated wastewater releases are a significant contributor to the prevalence of microbeads and microfibers. Microbeads are primary microplastic particles derived from cosmetics, whereas microfibers come from textile finishing industries and domestic wastewater according in this study. Polyvinyl chloride was the dominant polymer and is commonly used in water-resistant clothing. It is increasingly evident that rivers are the primary source of microplastics in the oceans.

MSc Dissertation at The University of Manchester, UK

Aquaculture has supplemented capture fisheries for 6 decades, sustaining demand for aquatic products through improved techniques, including optimizing fish nutrition. Aquaculture's contribution to global fish production has steadily increased from 7% in 1974 to 44.1% in 2014, and reached a record high of 57% in 2020, according to FAO's 2022 report on world fisheries and aquaculture. Feed accounts for over 50% of aquaculture inputs, especially in intensive farming. The study results suggest that feeding Clarias gariepinus fingerlings with commercial feed is recommended due to its higher growth performance, nutrient utilization, profit index, and lower incidence cost.

BSc Thesis at The University of Uyo, Nigeria