Scholars International Journal of Biochemistry (SIJB)
Volume-3 | Issue-02 | 12-21
Original Research Article
Health Risk Assessment of Some Toxic Elements in Aquatic Bioindicator (Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus) from Tagwai Reservoir Dam Minna, Niger State Nigeria
Oguh Collins Egwu, Osuji Chigoziri Akudo, Benjamin Emmanuel Chinecherem, Ugwu Chukwuebuka Victor, Musa Achimugu Diskson
Published : Feb. 8, 2020
Abstract
Fishes are considered to be most significant bioindicator in aquatic systems for the estimation of toxic metal pollution or facet of the impact of toxic substances on the natural environment. This study aimed to analyze the Hazard Assessment of Some Toxic Elements in Clarias gariepinus (Cat fish) and Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia fish) from Tagwai Reservoir Minna, Niger State Nigeria and the health risk associated with their consumption. The water samples were collected from Tagwai Reservoir and analyzed for water physicochemical properties (pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity and temperature) using a standard method and concentrations of heavy metal in fish and water, As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb were analyze using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The Bioaccumulation factor and health risk (daily intake, health risk index and hazard index) from the consumption of these fishes was assessed using standard methods and formula. All samples (fish and water) collected were digested using a modified procedure from the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and were subsequently analyzed using AAS. The result of the physicochemical properties and Heavy metal concentration in water and fishes shows a significant increase (P<0.05) in parameters. The values of physicochemical properties were dissolve oxygen (5.03 mg/l), pH (5.75), Temperature (32.45 ÂșC), and electrical conductivity (691.52 mg/l) which are significantly higher than the WHO recommended values. Water and fish samples from Tagwai reservoir were contaminated with HMs. The concentration of HMs on fish from Tagwai reservoir were all greater than the maximum permissible limit of metals As (0.01), Cd (0.05), Cr (1.5), Hg (0.01), and Pb (0.3 mg/kg) of HMs in fish as recommended by FAO/WHO. Total hazard Index of all metals in O. niloticus, and C.gariepinus from Tagwai reservoir were 2.65 and 3.07 respectively. This conclude that fish in Tagwai reservoir are contaminated with HMs with deleterious effect on fishes and also bioaccumulate in the fish. The risk assessment shows that fish in Tagwai reservoir are contaminated with potentially toxic elements and could pose health risk from heavy metal contamination when consume via food chain.