Ilo-Idimu River is a tropical zone lying
between 60.47ºN of the equator and 20.33ºE, and 30.18ºE of the Greenwich
meridian. The aim of this research is to determine the concentration of heavy
metals in Sarotherodon galilaeus; a
predominant fish species in Ilo-Idimu River, and its public health
significance. Water samples were collected from the River at different
locations and depth. Samples were also taken with the use of dissecting
instruments from the scale, skin, flesh, gill, and gut of S. galilaeus. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used to
determine the concentration of heavy metals in the water samples and various
body parts of the fish. From the result obtained, the levels of heavy metals
concentrations ranged between 0.00-3.14, 0.00-2.18, 0.52-3.08, 0.00-0.68 and
0.00-1.48 mg/kg in the gill, flesh, gut, skin and scale respectively. The
highest level of heavy metals was recorded in the gill while the lowest was
recorded in the skin. The concentration of each of the heavy metals was
significantly different across body parts (P˂0.05) except lead. Concentration of most of these heavy metals
exceeded the maximum permissible limit. Our results indicated that there is
inherent danger in consuming fishes from Ilo-Idimu river.
Sarotherodon galilaeus assessment heavy metals Ilo-Idimu River Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
Subjects | Hydrobiology |
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Journal Section | Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | January 1, 2016 |
Published in Issue | Year 2016 |