Determination of concentration of heavy metals in two common fish species from Asa River, Ilorin, Nigeria
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Date
2003
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Published by, Taylor and Francis Group, Germany.
Abstract
Concentrations of some heavy metals in Tilapia zilli (Tilapia) and Synodontis membrane (Catfish), the two common fishes from Asa River Ilorin, Nigeria have been determined. Manganese, zinc, iron, and lead, were present at appreciable concentrations in the tissues of the two species while cadmium, mercury, and nickel, were found to be less than 0.01 ppm. Concentrations of metals were highest downstream than at upstream locations. Mean concentrations of Mn in Tilapia, ranged between 0.56 ppm at the upstream end and 2.69 mg/kg of fresh weight at the downstream end. Pb, Zn, and Cr ranged between 4.05 and 5.59 mg/kg of fresh weight, 0.09 and 1.16 ppm, 5.62 and 11.15 ppm, and 0.09 and 0.13 ppm respectively. In the Catfish, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cr ranged between 0.62 and 0.78 ppm, 3.79 and 8.79 ppm, 0.78 and 1.57 ppm, 7.30 and 15.15, and 0.23 and 0.35 ppm respectively. Heavy metals except lead did not pose any health risks in human since the calculated probable amounts being ingested by an average adult (50 kg average weight) per day were lower than WHO maximum recommended value of intake. However, the level of lead was higher than WHO limit and this could render inedible the fishes from this catchment river.
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Keywords
Concentrations, heavy metals, Tilapia zilli, Synodontis membrane, Asa River, Ilorin
Citation
Eletta, O.A.A, Adekola, F.A. & Omotosho, J.S. (2003): Determination of concentration of heavy metals in two common fish species from Asa River, Ilorin, Nigeria. Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry. 85 (1-3); 7-12.