Determination of Heavy Metals Concentration in Some Fish Samples from River Rima (Kwalkwalawa) in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research work was conducted to assess the levels of heavy metals namely; Fe, Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn in three fish samples Lates niloticus (Giwanruwa), Hyperupisus bebe occidentalis (kuma) and Clarias geriepinus(kulme), of River Rima (Kwalkwalawa). The analysis was performed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The results of the analysis suggested that there were high levels of the analyzed metals in Lates niloticus (Fe-0.4369, Pb-0.0102, Cd-0.0530), Hyperupisus bebe occidentalis (Fe-0.2003, Pb-0.0080, Cd-0.00356), and Clarias geriepinus (Fe-0.1888, Cd-0.1050) compared to the WHO/EU standards. However the concentrations of Cu and Zn in all the samples were found to be within the WHO/EU permissible limit. Therefore, the fishes obtained from this river have high concentration of Fe, Pb and Cd beyond the tolerable level, which indicated that as far as these metals are concerned, the fishes are unfit for human consumption. Consequently, close monitoring of metals pollution and the consumption of the fishes of River Rima (Kwalkwalawa) is recommended with a view to minimizing the risk of health of the population that depend on the river for their fish supply.