DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN FISH GOTTEN FROM IKPOBA RIVER

ABSTRACT

Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) are toxic heavy metals that occur naturally in the ecosystem. There is a risk in the concentration levels of these heavy metals due to anthropogenic activities their by posing a threat to aquatic organisms and humans. In Nigeria, pollution of water bodies has lead to unsafe consumption of fishes as well as a shortage of treated portable water. This study was carried out to determine the concentration of two heavy metals (Cd and Pb) in two species of fish from Ikpoba River, Benin City. The samples of fish were measured and weighed. One gram was taken from each sample of the fish specie and digested with perchloric acid. The samples were analysed for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The mean results for Cd and Pb concentration in Clarias gariepinus were 0.0125 and 0.0025. For Parauchenoglaris fasciatus was 0.01 and 0. The mean value for Pb was greater than the mean value for Cd. The target hazard quotient for Pb and Cd was 0.004 and 0.0002 respectively. The EDI for Pb and Cd was 0.0002 and 0.000002. the CR for Pb and Cd was 0.000002 and 0.0001.