PESTICIDE LEVELS IN SCALE OF CHROMIDOTILAPIA GUENTHERI FROM IKPOBA RIVER, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study aimed at evaluating the possible use of fish scale obtained from Ikpoba river, Edo state Nigeria, to determine exposure of fish to organochlorine pesticides in the water body. We assessed Chromidotilapia guentheri). Two fish samples were collected for scales once a month for three consecutive months (June – August, 2019). Fish scales were extracted and assayed for pesticide using the HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography) method. A total of eight pesticides (Heptachlor, o,p-DDT, ᵞ-HCH Lindane, p,p-DDT, Endosulfan I, Endosulfan II, Endosulfan sulphate and Endrin.) were investigated. Results from the assessment revealed that the concentrations of all pesticides recorded in µg/kg were 0 to 0.346025 for o,p-DDT, ᵞ-HCH (Lindane) 0 to 3.67441 and Endosulfan I 0 to 0.142797, while Heptachlor, p,p-DDT, Endosulfan II, Endosulfan sulphate and Endrin were in below the detection limit of 0.01µg/kg (BDL). ᵞ-HCH (Lindane) was the most dominant pesticide accounting for 86% of the total pesticide residues in fish scales. The result of the study shows that scales can be used as bioindicators of pesticide exposure in fish.