Journal Article

Comparative Assessment of Some Heavy Metals Concentration in Some Catfish and Tilapia Fish Samples Obtained from Gwaigwaye Dam, Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

Due to increasing human activities that release heavy metals into the environment, the exposure of aquatic ecosystems to these harmful substances is becoming more and more of a concern. This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals in two fish species from Gwaigwaye Dam, Katsina state. The dam supplies water for drinking, fishing, farming and other agricultural activities to the local communities. In this study, ten fish species each of African Catfish and Nile Tilapia samples collected from Gwaigwaye dam were analyzed for some heavy metals namely, (Cadmium, Nickel, Lead and Zinc). After sample digestion, micro-wave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MPAES) was used to determine the heavy metal concentration in the samples and their levels were compared with   WHO/SON maximum permissible limits. The results of the analysis indicated that the heavy metals concentrations ranged from 0.23±0.005 to 0.076±0.011 m/kg for Cadmium, 0.013±0.003 to 0.196±0.003 m/kg for Nickel, 0.001±0.00 to 0.027±0.03 m/kg for Lead and 0.396±0.003 to 0.936±0.0012 m/kg for Zinc in Catfish samples. Similarly, the concentrations of the metals in Tilapia species ranged as follows: 0.006±0.051 to 0.03±0.00 m/kg for Cadmium, 0.066±0.03 to 0.2±0.00 m/kg for Nickel, 0.01±0.00 to 0.08±0.003 m/kg for Lead and 0.33±0.03 to 0.753±0.003 m/kg for Zinc in tilapia fish samples. The concentrations of the metals were all below the permissible limits recommended by WHO/SON. The two fish species pose no health risk and therefore safe for consumption. The result of statistical analysis indicated no significant difference at a P value greater than 0.05 (P>0.05).

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