Heavy Metals Bioaccumulation and Health Risks with Associated Histopathological Changes in Clarias gariepinus from the Kado Fish Market, Abuja, Nigeria

• Published in: Journal of health & pollution 2020-06, Vol.10 (26), p.200602-12
• Main Authors: Abalaka, Samson E, Enem, Simon I, Idoko, Idoko S, Sani, Nuhu A, Tenuche, Oremeyi Z, Ejeh, Sunday A, Sambo, Wonder K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aquatic pollution; clarias gariepinus; health risk assessment; heavy metals bioaccumulation; histopathological changes
• ISSN: 2156-9614; 2156-9614
• DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-10.26.200602

Aquatic pollution by heavy metals has become a global problem and is of great concern due to the detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and possible human uptake. The present study aimed to evaluate tissue bioaccumulations of heavy metals and possible human health risks in addition to associated cellular damages in fish for sale in a fish market in Abuja, Nigeria. Clarias gariepinus sold at the Kado Fish Market in Abuja, Nigeria, in March-April 2017 and March-April 2018 were randomly purchased and sampled. The heavy metal contents of the sampled fish were assayed and used to assess the extent of potential health risks to human consumers. The extent of histopathological changes associated with the bioaccumulations in the sampled fish were also evaluated according to standard procedures. Levels of most heavy metals were above permissible limits, except for lower levels of zinc (Zn) in liver and muscle and higher levels of lead (Pb) in muscle in the sampled fish. Similarly, significant (p