Heavy metals in fish species from lotic freshwater ecosystem at Afikpo, Nigeria

A study was conducted between March 2006 and February 2007 to assess the concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Cr in the gills and muscles of six fish species (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Clarias anguillaris, Tillapia zillii, Mormyrus rume rume, Mormyrus macrophthalmus and Mormyrus tapirus) from...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental biology 2010-09, Vol.31 (5), p.595-601
Main Authors: Nwani, C D, Nwachi, D A, Okogwu, O I, Ude, E F, Odoh, G E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus
Clarias anguillaris
Ecosystem
Fishes - metabolism
Fresh Water
Freshwater
Macrophthalmus
Metals, Heavy - chemistry
Metals, Heavy - metabolism
Mormyrus rume
Nigeria
Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism
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Summary:A study was conducted between March 2006 and February 2007 to assess the concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Cr in the gills and muscles of six fish species (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Clarias anguillaris, Tillapia zillii, Mormyrus rume rume, Mormyrus macrophthalmus and Mormyrus tapirus) from lotic freshwater ecosystem at Afikpo South- East Nigeria using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. In all the fish species studied the concentration of metals in the gills was significantly higher than that of the muscles (pZn>Mn>Cu>Cr>Pb. While the concentration of Zn, Cu and Pb both in the muscles and gills of all the six fish species studied were within the WHO and FEPA prescribed limits, that of Fe(except in the muscles), Mn and Cr were above the prescribed limits thus indicating contamination of the fish species by these metals. Fe has the highest bio-concentration factor (BCF) in both tissues while the least was Cu. Periodic monitoring of these metals in both fishes and river to ensure safety is advocated.
ISSN:0254-8704