Trace metal concentrations in water and edible muscle of some commercially important fish species in Warri River, Nigeria.

Abstract

Concentrations of Iron, Copper, Cadmium, Chromium, Manganese, Nickel, Lead and Zinc were determined in surface water, edible muscle of some commercially important fish species, water hyacinth and soil sediments in Warri river, Nigeria. The results revealed that there were no significant differences between sampling stations and concentration of metals were independent of size of fish sampled. Only Iron (Fe) and Manganese (Mn) were detected in water sample from Warri river and Mn was found to exceed the WHO allowable limit for drinking water. This suggests that water in Warri river is polluted and is therefore unfit for drinking. Trace metal values in all fish samples analyzed from Warri river were below the allowable limit in food as recommended by WHO. However, higher levels of trace metals in water hyacinth and soil sediment above the WHO recommended levels are further confirmation that Warri river is polluted.

Key words : Trace metals ; Edible muscle ; Warri river ; Niger Delta