Lead (Ld) and cadmium (Cd) concentration in catfish (Clarias gariepenus) of River Gashua, Bade Local Government Area, Yobe State

Abstract

The research work was designed to assess the concentrations of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in water and fish (Clarias gariepenus) from three different sampling points: Gada, Usur and Katuzu. A total of 21 water samples (seven from each sampling points) and 60 fish samples (20 from each sampling points) were collected biweekly from March to April 2021. The samples were transported to the Research Laboratory of the Department of Chemistry, Yobe State University, Damaturu. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer methods were adopted for determination of heavy metals. The mean concentration of temperature (^oC) recorded was highest in Usur (27.42±0.25), (25.75±0.11), and lowest in Katuzu (25.50±0.21) respectively recorded highest value in Usur(8.06±0.29), (7.49±0.18) and lowest in Gada (7.36±0.16) respectively, whereas, dissolved oxygen (mg/L) was highest in Gada (8.01±0.05), (7.45±0.21) and the least value was recorded in Usur (7.40±0.17) respectively. From the results obtained the mean concentration (mg/kg) of heavy metals in fish from Katuzu was higher (0.50±0.07) in lead and (0.55±0.07) in cadmium compared to Gada and Usur that recorded (0.18±0.06) (0.31±0.05) in lead and (0.24±0.10) (0.40±0.07) in cadmium respectively. All the heavy metals assessed in fish from this study were within WHO/FAO and NASREA permissible limits. There was no significant difference in concentrations among heavy metals in fish samples from the three different sampling points (p<0.05). The need for adoption and enforcement of appropriate monitoring and management strategies for the protection of the river and its biota was therefore recommended.