Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Muscle Tissue of Catfish commonly found in Idah and Ibaji Local Government Areas, Kogi State-Nigeria

Abstract

Selected heavy metals (Pb, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Fe and Cd) were analyzed in muscle tissue of Catfish commonly found in Idah and Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The total metals concentration indicates Mn was observed in Catfish from Ugbetulu stream (0.025±0.0 μg/g) and Catfish from Egah (0.194±0.0 μg/g). Zinc occurred in the Catfish from the three different sampled rivers with concentrations of 2.507±0.0 μg/g Ugbetulu (Catfish) 0.466±0.0 μg/g Egah (Catfish) and 0.748±0.0 μg/g Oponofe (Catfish). Cr concentration was observed in Ugbetulu Catfish (0.598±0.0 μg/g), Egah Catfish (0.634±0.0 μg/g) and Oponofe Catfish (0.67±0.0 μg/g). Fe occurred in the Catfish sample with a range of 0.58 μg/g - 3.387 μg/g. Mn concentration was observed in the three samples with a range of 0.12±0.0 μg/g - 0.871±0.0 μg/g. Zinc was detected in Ukpakele Catfish (2.42±0.0 μg/g), Odeke (2.42±0.0 μg/g) and Alah Catfish (2.131±0.01 μg/g). Cr was detected in the entire fish sample from the three sampling points with a range of 0.036 μg/g - 0.599±0.0 μg/g (Alah Catfish). For Fe analysis, the observed concentrations are 0.733±0.0 μg/g, 01.263±0.6 μg/g and 5.282±0.01 μg/g, respectively for Ukpakele, Odeke and Alah Catfish. Pb, Mn, Cu, Ni and Cd were generally below the limits prescribed by World Health Organisation (WHO). The observed Zn, Cr and Fe concentrations were found to be slightly higher than the WHO prescribed limits in fishes and may bioaccumulate in humans with time.