CONCENTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEAVY METAL IN FISH SPECIES IN OVIA RIVER, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Heavy metal pollution in water bodies has grown to be a significant problem for water quality due to the fact that it can be harmful to human health when ingested by humans and can endanger public water supplies. This study investigates the distribution and concentration of heavy metals like Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), and Cadmium (Cd) in six fish species (Chromidotilapia guntheri, Tilapia mariae, Papyrocranus afer, Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis aureus, Brycinus macrolepidotus) from Ovia river. The investigation revealed significant variability in the concentration of these metals across the different species with B.macrolepidotus having the highest mean Fe concentration (2.784±0.592 mg/kg) ranging from 2.192 to 3.376mg/kg, while O.niloticus had the lowest mean value (0.9715±0.7305 mg/kg) with a range of 2.192 to 3.376mg/kg. Zn levels peaked in B.macrolepidotus (0.8285±0.8195 mg/kg) with a range of 0.009 -1.648mg/kg, and was lowest in P.afer (0.1585±0.1125 mg/kg) with a range of 0.046 - 0.271mg/kg. The Cu concentration was highest in T.mariae (0.0555±0.0225 mg/kg) with a range of 0.046-0.271mg/kg and lowest in B.macrolepidotus (0.0365±0.0015 mg/kg) with range of 0.035 to 0.038mg/kg. Pb was highest in C.guentheri (0.021±0 mg/kg) and lowest in O.niloticus (0.01±0.003 mg/kg). Cadmium was most pronounced in P. afer (0.0085±0.0005 mg/kg) with a range of 0.008-0.009 mg/kg and lowest in O.niloticus (0.01±0.001 mg/kg) with range of 0.009-0.011. Higher levels of heavy metals were recored in benthic fishes compared to pelagic fishes. C.guentheri recorded the highest mean heavy metal values, while O.niloticus had the lowest. The findings offer important insights on heavy metals distribution patterns, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing monitoring and management strategies to reduce environmental contamination and safeguard public health.