Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages: 71-75 71 Assessment of Elemental and Microbial Quality of Lake Efi in Bayelsa State, Central Niger Delta, Nigeria Tariwari C.N. Angaye 1 * and Cosboy E. Mieyepa 2 1- Toxicity Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. 2- Department of Environmental Resource Management, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Imo State University, Nigeria. Received: 19/04/2015 Accepted: 08/06/2015 Published: 30/06/2015 Abstract Efi lake of Bayelsa state, Nigeria, is emerging as a resource in the Niger Delta. It holds a great mythological significance, as well as a means of livelihood. This study assessed the Elemental and Microbial quality of the lake. Water Samples of the lake were collected upstream, midstream and downstream in March 2015, and similarly analyzed following standard protocol. Results showed that, compared to iron which ranged from 0.034 - 0.74 mg/l, copper, mercury and lead were below detection limits, while Cadmium (0.00 - 0.057 mg/l), Chromium (0.00 - 0.137 mg/l) and Zinc (0.00 - 0.231 mg/l) occurred in very low concentrations (P < 0.05). The physicochemical parameters showed that temperature, pH, conductivity and TDS ranges as; 28.36 - 30.10 o C, 6.55 - 7.20, 48.13 - 68.93 μS/cm, 54.25 - 102.92 mg/l respectively; while turbidity, DO and Nitrate ranges as 7.87 - 17.29 NTU, 9.07 - 19.52 mg/l and 1.34 - 2.82 mg/l respectively (P < 0.05). Total heterotrophic bacteria and fungi were 0.44 - 1.159 X 10 6 and 0.46 - 0.86 X 10 4 Cfu/ml respectively. Furthermore, the total and feacal coliforms were 76.72 - 260.23 and 53.67-157.02 MPN/100 ml MPN/100 ml respectively. The results generally indicate mild anthropogenic activities in the lack. Hence, robust government and communal laws should be enforce to protect this potential eco-tourist area. Keywords: Niger Delta, Efi Lake, microorganisms, physico-chemistry, Heavy metals 1 Introduction 1 A delta is could be defined as that portion of a country’s land mass through which its rivers systems are discharged to the ocean. The Niger Delta is a wetland characterized by high level of precipitation and multiple flooding. Its river system are deltaic with three basic tributaries [1]. These tributaries are River-Forcados to the west in Delta state, River-Orashi located eastward and River-Nun (central i.e. between orashi and forcardos), in Bayelsa state. These three rivers form a triangular delta originating from a major parent tributary at Ebueto. The Niger delta has four ecological zones (coastal barrier island, mangrove swamp forest, freshwater swamp and lowland rainforest). Core States in the Niger Delta includes; Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom. It is a geopolitical region located on the southern part of the Nigerian map. With more than 40 different ethnic groups, its population is estimated to be over 20 million. Lake Efi is emerging as one of the potential eco-tourist zone of bayelsa state, Nigeria. Located in a community called Kalama, in Sabagreia town of Kolokuma/Opokuma Corresponding Author: Tariwari C.N. Angaye, Toxicity Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. E-mail: maktarry@yahoo.com; Tel: +234-703-7889-063. Local Government Area. The origin of the lake holds a basking mythological history, which originated over three centuries ago. After a fierce argument between two fishermen (from Kalama and Gbarain communities), on the ownership of the lake. They both agreed on a competitive (win and claim) venture doctored by the Kalama man. The terms agreed was that the first between the two to make fire around the lake will solely retain owner the lake. The terms agreed made the Gbaraun man to quickly dash home to fetch fire from his community which is closer to the lake. The Gbaraun man was outsmarted that prior to his arrival, the Kalama man made fire from sticks around the lake, with the aid of his gun powder. The lake is pristine due to its self-purifying mechanism, and it host diverse species ranging from fish, turtle and crocodile. The lake is surrounded by forest and is about 2km square area in size. It has been managed by a conditional fishing festival only observed every decade [2]. The quality of water in communities aligning coastal settlement is essential to their relative health and sustenance. In Bayelsa state, the river of some riverine communities unfortunately act as a waste dump sites [3]. The wastes streams discharged into the water bodies may include organic and inorganic waste such as; heavy metals, elemental ions, oil and grease and other wastes of organic origin [3, 4], originating from point and non-point sources as leachates swept by runoffs [4]. Although the contamination of a river may be determined by its flow intensity and dilution capacity [3], however the persistent Journal weblink: http://www.jett.dormaj.com J. Environ. Treat. Tech. ISSN: 2309-1185