Environmental Pollution, Water Quality Degradation, and Implications for Fish Production in Nigeria: A Systematic Review

This paper examines the effects of pollution on water quality and fish production in Nigeria. The study identifies and synthesizes major sources of pollution, assesses systematically the levels of nonbiodegradable pollutants, and evaluates the physicochemical parameters of water in selected rivers and lakes. The study was guided by the Ecological Risk Assessment framework developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The study investigated the impact of water quality on fish production levels, the potential health risks associated with consuming fish from polluted water bodies, and the level of pollution management and sustainable fishery practices among artisanal fishermen. Key findings indicated that industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste are significant sources of pollution, leading to high levels of heavy metals, nutrients, and organic pollutants in water bodies. These pollutants negatively affect fish health, reduce fish stocks, and pose health risks to consumers. The study concludes that there exist diverse pollution and pollutants of varying types from different sources, that pose significant danger to human health and aquatic species, and fish production. The study recommends improved pollution management and sustainable fishery practices to mitigate the adverse effects of pollution on water and fish production.