A survey of the mercury levels in the fish of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

Abstract

The mercury content of the freshwater fish of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria was determined. The mean Hg content in the fish was 215 + 57 (80 - 350) ng g-1 wet weight. Generally the levels of mercury in the samples were low with over 78% of the samples recording a total Hg level of less than 200 ng g-1 wet weight in the muscle tissue. These levels were lower than levels found in canned fish (titus sardines) imported into the country. The results showed that the area is not contaminated with Hg and that residents would not exceed the tolerable weekly 350 ngg-1Hg by eating the fish.


KEY WORDS: Mercury, environmental samples, baseline, Abuja.

[Global Jnl Environ Sci Vol.1(1) 2002: 53-58]