Abstract
This work – The Effects of PH and salinity on the Respiratory Activities of African Lungfish Protopterus annectens has been a very interesting and revealing experience. With the completion of this work, we believe that human activities such as farming and mining have been exposed to contribute immensely to the acidification of natural waters of Nigeria as a result of chronic or acute episodes of low PH due to pollution. It is also our belief that this work will initiate a renewed confidence in our Biologists to nurture and manage our environment. Results obtained during this exercise show that low and very high PHdue to pollution produces perhaps the most striking effects. At Low PH, fishes show symptoms of respiratory distress as a result of the coagulation of mucus on the gills of fishes. On the other hand, the effect is very much pronounced at high salinity values. This is to say that fishes show increase in respiratory rate at salinities, which are closest to the osmotic content of their body fluids. However, departure from normal concentration and composition of the internal medium causes metabolic disturbances and eventual death.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The Longman Pocket English Dictionary (2001) simply defined the term “EFFECTS” as a result A more, detailed description of the same word can be obtained according to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary by Hormby (2001) as: A change that somebody or something causes in somebody or something else. F.G and H.N Fowler (2002) defined “EFFECT” as: Result of Consequence of Action. Suffice it to say that the term “EFFECTS” throws more light on the impression produced on a spectator or hearer it also seeks to bring about, accomplish or cause an event to occur. The definitions stated above imply that the term “EFFECTS” can be used in different contexts such as