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ABSTRACT
This research paper is aimed at detecting the levels of copper in the Ikpoba and Ogba Rivers in Benin City, evaluating the bioconcentration factors of the heavy metal in selected fish species (Schilbe uranoscopus), and examining the histopathological structure of the gills, reproductive organs, and liver of the fish. The sampling took place from November 2021 to January 2022. The water samples from Ikpoba and Ogba Rivers contained significantly high levels of copper ranging from 0.048±0.10 mg/l - 0.123±0.011 mg/l and 0.075±0.009 mg/l - 0.135±0.018 mg/l respectively. The sediments contained even higher concentrations ranging from 31.641±5.217 mg/l – 74.198±6.278 mg/l and 35.663±4.94 mg/l – 73.274±13.434 mg/l respectively. The African butter catfish (Schilbe uranoscopus) obtained from both rivers also contained considerably high amounts of copper ranging from 4.221±3.723 mg/kg to 14.273±2.612 mg/kg. Histopathological investigations indicated that the increased copper concentrations in the gills, gonads, and liver may have caused the observed histological changes in the tissues of these organs. There was a significant relationship between the concentration of copper in the water bodies and in the fish organs. Although the copper concentrations in water were below the maximum permissible limit set by World Health Organization (WHO) for potable drinking water, the concentrations exceeded the permissible limits in fish organs, and the tolerable intake levels for humans. From this study, it was concluded that the unnaturally high copper concentrations in both rivers can be toxic to fish and even humans. Therefore, further in-depth. research is advised, so as to monitor and assess the negative impacts of environmental contamination of copper in the rivers, on human health.
