Possible Changes in Heavy metals Bioaccumulation in Fish Liver in selected Rivers of Ebonyi state

Abstract

This study examined possible changes in fish liver caused by heavy metals bioaccumulation in selected rivers of Ebonyi State. The livers of sampled fishes were dissected and cleaned with HNO₃ and washed with de-ionized water, dried at 105⁰C for about 12 hours. Samples for metal bioaccumulation were taken from each fish and delivered for analyses at 11TA laboratory. Data collected were subjected to line graphs analysis. The result showed a considerable fluctuation of cadmium in varying magnitudes. Chromium bioaccumulation varied in fish liver from month to month and increased as age of fish increased. Mkpuma fish liver showed highest lead bioaccumulation from 10.5 – 24.5ppm followed by Ameka Dam 10.8 – 9.6ppm with the two controls lying between the ranges of 5.0 – 9.6ppm. Arsenic accumulation in the liver of fishes harvested from the five locations showed bioaccumulation from April to December before encroachment. This dropped as encroachment took place between January – March 2011 and took the same trend in 2012 with the exception of Mkpuma fish liver that did not witness any encroachment. Among the recommendations of the researcher was that; there should be periodic monitoring of the rivers to avoid waste disposal which could lead to heavy metals bioaccumulation.

keywords: heavy, metals, bioaccumulation, fish, river, liver