Comparative evaluation of the levels of some antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in different fish species in two rivers in the western Niger Delta

The Warri River is highly polluted. This is due to the presence of an oil refinery/petrochemical complex and the enormous oil exploration activities in Warri and its environs. Also effluents from the Government owned iron and steel manufacturing company at Ovwian-Aladja that drain into the Warri River and faecal matter are other sources of pollution Faecal pollution is the main source of pollution in Ethiope River when compared to acceptable standards. Environmental disturbances can be considered as potential sources of stress and changes in enzyme levels are one of the markers of stress (Donaldson 1981). Roche and Boge (1996), using fish placed in synthetic resin tanks, revealed that low but general increase of total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity is a marker of stress. We hereby report a preliminary field study of the changes in the activities of some antioxidant enzymes and the level of lipid peroxidation as an index of pollution using fish from Warri and Ethiope Rivers.