Trace Metals Distribution in Fish Tissues, Bottom Sediments and Water from Okumeshi River in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Water samples, bottom sediments, Tilapia, and Cat Fish from Okumeshi River in Delta state of Nigeria were analysed quantitatively for the presence of lead, nickel, chromium, manganese and cadmium using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The fishes contained higher concentration of manganese with a value of 7.77mg/kg against 2.76mg/kg in sediment and 0.13mg/l in water. Studies on the different parts of the fish revealed higher concentrations of 1.97mg/kg manganese in the muscle of tilapia fish while the lowest concentration of 0.13mg/kg was detected on the gill of catfish. The highest concentration of 0.62mg/kg cadmium was detected on the muscle of tilapia while the lowest concentration with a value of 0.04mg/kg was recorded in tilapia bone. In most of the fish samples, cadmium concentration was found to be above the maximum tolerable values provided by international institutions.

Keywords: Trace metals, Fish Tissues, Water, Bottom sediments, Okumeshi River