Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health

Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian; Nwuba Lucy Afulenu; Obiakor Maximilian Obinna; Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11

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Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health

Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian, Nwuba Lucy Afulenu, Obiakor Maximilian Obinna, Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 2, Issue 4)

Received: 21 June 2014 Accepted: 30 June 2014 Published: 10 July 2014

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Abstract

Pollution of freshwater ecosystems is alarmingly becoming high in Nigeria with attendant public health effects on the dependent populations. Fish, a source of protein with pronounced placement on local food menu is now considered an important dietary threat of heavy metal toxicity via consumptions. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals (copper, zinc and lead) in Silver catfish (Schilbe intermedius) from River Niger was conducted. The Fish samples were collected from different sites of Onitsha axis of the River Niger owing to their environmental stresses. Samples were analyzed for heavy metal (copper- Cu, zinc- Zn, and lead- Pb) concentrations in muscle tissues using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and compared with Food and Agriculture Organization safe limits. Margin of exposure (MOE) was estimated to measure the potential public health risk of consuming the contaminated fish. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu- 8.92±4.748, Zn- 0.36±0.249, and Pb- 2.689±1.505) observed were significant (P<.05) with diversity in different experimental locations and Cu recording highest pooled mean concentrations. The trend of the metal occurrences was Cu>Pb>Zn. Statistical Pearson moment correlation analysis showed that the concentrations of heavy metals detected were independent of the weight of sampled fish for zinc but was positively correlated for copper and lead. Relating the mean metal concentrations obtained in the study with Food and Agriculture Organization standard for fish muscles indicated that mean concentrations of copper, zinc and lead are far above safe margins for human consumption except the fish sourced from sites A4 and A9 for lead and zinc, respectively. Margin of exposure was below one and tentatively considered not to be of risk to public health. However, there is considerable contamination of the Silver catfish from the River Niger with heavy metals. It is recommended that substantial attention be paid to the heavy metal levels in freshwater fishes from the river. Measures should be put in place to regulate the indiscriminate dredging activities, discharge of raw sewage and industrial effluent into the river and regular public health check on the level of heavy metals among the populace in the communities that border the area should be employed.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 2, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11
Page(s)	126-131
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cu, Zn, Pb, Bioaccumulation, Silver Catfish, River Niger, Freshwater, Onitsha Axis, Nigeria

References

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[14]	K.H. Watanabe, F.W. Desimone, A. Thiyagarajah, W.R. Hartley, A.E. Hindrichs, “Fish tissue quality in the Lower Mississippi River and health risks from fish consumption,”Sci. Total Environ., vol. 302, 2003, pp. 109-126.
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Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian, Nwuba Lucy Afulenu, Obiakor Maximilian Obinna, Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi. (2014). Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 2(4), 126-131. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11

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Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian; Nwuba Lucy Afulenu; Obiakor Maximilian Obinna; Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi. Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2014, 2(4), 126-131. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11

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AMA Style

Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian, Nwuba Lucy Afulenu, Obiakor Maximilian Obinna, Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi. Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2014;2(4):126-131. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11,
  author = {Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian and Nwuba Lucy Afulenu and Obiakor Maximilian Obinna and Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi},
  title = {Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {2},
  number = {4},
  pages = {126-131},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20140204.11},
  abstract = {Pollution of freshwater ecosystems is alarmingly becoming high in Nigeria with attendant public health effects on the dependent populations. Fish, a source of protein with pronounced placement on local food menu is now considered an important dietary threat of heavy metal toxicity via consumptions. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals (copper, zinc and lead) in Silver catfish (Schilbe intermedius) from River Niger was conducted. The Fish samples were collected from different sites of Onitsha axis of the River Niger owing to their environmental stresses. Samples were analyzed for heavy metal (copper- Cu, zinc- Zn, and lead- Pb) concentrations in muscle tissues using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and compared with Food and Agriculture Organization safe limits. Margin of exposure (MOE) was estimated to measure the potential public health risk of consuming the contaminated fish. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu- 8.92±4.748, Zn- 0.36±0.249, and Pb- 2.689±1.505) observed were significant (PPb>Zn. Statistical Pearson moment correlation analysis showed that the concentrations of heavy metals detected were independent of the weight of sampled fish for zinc but was positively correlated for copper and lead. Relating the mean metal concentrations obtained in the study with Food and Agriculture Organization standard for fish muscles indicated that mean concentrations of copper, zinc and lead are far above safe margins for human consumption except the fish sourced from sites A4 and A9 for lead and zinc, respectively. Margin of exposure was below one and tentatively considered not to be of risk to public health. However, there is considerable contamination of the Silver catfish from the River Niger with heavy metals. It is recommended that substantial attention be paid to the heavy metal levels in freshwater fishes from the river. Measures should be put in place to regulate the indiscriminate dredging activities, discharge of raw sewage and industrial effluent into the river and regular public health check on the level of heavy metals among the populace in the communities that border the area should be employed.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health
AU  - Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian
AU  - Nwuba Lucy Afulenu
AU  - Obiakor Maximilian Obinna
AU  - Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi
Y1  - 2014/07/10
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 126
EP  - 131
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11
AB  - Pollution of freshwater ecosystems is alarmingly becoming high in Nigeria with attendant public health effects on the dependent populations. Fish, a source of protein with pronounced placement on local food menu is now considered an important dietary threat of heavy metal toxicity via consumptions. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals (copper, zinc and lead) in Silver catfish (Schilbe intermedius) from River Niger was conducted. The Fish samples were collected from different sites of Onitsha axis of the River Niger owing to their environmental stresses. Samples were analyzed for heavy metal (copper- Cu, zinc- Zn, and lead- Pb) concentrations in muscle tissues using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and compared with Food and Agriculture Organization safe limits. Margin of exposure (MOE) was estimated to measure the potential public health risk of consuming the contaminated fish. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu- 8.92±4.748, Zn- 0.36±0.249, and Pb- 2.689±1.505) observed were significant (PPb>Zn. Statistical Pearson moment correlation analysis showed that the concentrations of heavy metals detected were independent of the weight of sampled fish for zinc but was positively correlated for copper and lead. Relating the mean metal concentrations obtained in the study with Food and Agriculture Organization standard for fish muscles indicated that mean concentrations of copper, zinc and lead are far above safe margins for human consumption except the fish sourced from sites A4 and A9 for lead and zinc, respectively. Margin of exposure was below one and tentatively considered not to be of risk to public health. However, there is considerable contamination of the Silver catfish from the River Niger with heavy metals. It is recommended that substantial attention be paid to the heavy metal levels in freshwater fishes from the river. Measures should be put in place to regulate the indiscriminate dredging activities, discharge of raw sewage and industrial effluent into the river and regular public health check on the level of heavy metals among the populace in the communities that border the area should be employed.
VL  - 2
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian

Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra Nigeria
Nwuba Lucy Afulenu

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Nnmadi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra Nigeria
Obiakor Maximilian Obinna

School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi

School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia

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APA Style

Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian, Nwuba Lucy Afulenu, Obiakor Maximilian Obinna, Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi. (2014). Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 2(4), 126-131. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11

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ACS Style

Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian; Nwuba Lucy Afulenu; Obiakor Maximilian Obinna; Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi. Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2014, 2(4), 126-131. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11

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AMA Style

Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian, Nwuba Lucy Afulenu, Obiakor Maximilian Obinna, Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi. Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2014;2(4):126-131. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11,
  author = {Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian and Nwuba Lucy Afulenu and Obiakor Maximilian Obinna and Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi},
  title = {Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {2},
  number = {4},
  pages = {126-131},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20140204.11},
  abstract = {Pollution of freshwater ecosystems is alarmingly becoming high in Nigeria with attendant public health effects on the dependent populations. Fish, a source of protein with pronounced placement on local food menu is now considered an important dietary threat of heavy metal toxicity via consumptions. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals (copper, zinc and lead) in Silver catfish (Schilbe intermedius) from River Niger was conducted. The Fish samples were collected from different sites of Onitsha axis of the River Niger owing to their environmental stresses. Samples were analyzed for heavy metal (copper- Cu, zinc- Zn, and lead- Pb) concentrations in muscle tissues using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and compared with Food and Agriculture Organization safe limits. Margin of exposure (MOE) was estimated to measure the potential public health risk of consuming the contaminated fish. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu- 8.92±4.748, Zn- 0.36±0.249, and Pb- 2.689±1.505) observed were significant (PPb>Zn. Statistical Pearson moment correlation analysis showed that the concentrations of heavy metals detected were independent of the weight of sampled fish for zinc but was positively correlated for copper and lead. Relating the mean metal concentrations obtained in the study with Food and Agriculture Organization standard for fish muscles indicated that mean concentrations of copper, zinc and lead are far above safe margins for human consumption except the fish sourced from sites A4 and A9 for lead and zinc, respectively. Margin of exposure was below one and tentatively considered not to be of risk to public health. However, there is considerable contamination of the Silver catfish from the River Niger with heavy metals. It is recommended that substantial attention be paid to the heavy metal levels in freshwater fishes from the river. Measures should be put in place to regulate the indiscriminate dredging activities, discharge of raw sewage and industrial effluent into the river and regular public health check on the level of heavy metals among the populace in the communities that border the area should be employed.},
 year = {2014}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Sourced from Environmentally Stressed Axis of River Niger: Threat to Ecosystem and Public Health
AU  - Ezeonyejiaku Chigozie Damian
AU  - Nwuba Lucy Afulenu
AU  - Obiakor Maximilian Obinna
AU  - Okonkwo Chidumeje Ndidi
Y1  - 2014/07/10
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 126
EP  - 131
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140204.11
AB  - Pollution of freshwater ecosystems is alarmingly becoming high in Nigeria with attendant public health effects on the dependent populations. Fish, a source of protein with pronounced placement on local food menu is now considered an important dietary threat of heavy metal toxicity via consumptions. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals (copper, zinc and lead) in Silver catfish (Schilbe intermedius) from River Niger was conducted. The Fish samples were collected from different sites of Onitsha axis of the River Niger owing to their environmental stresses. Samples were analyzed for heavy metal (copper- Cu, zinc- Zn, and lead- Pb) concentrations in muscle tissues using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and compared with Food and Agriculture Organization safe limits. Margin of exposure (MOE) was estimated to measure the potential public health risk of consuming the contaminated fish. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu- 8.92±4.748, Zn- 0.36±0.249, and Pb- 2.689±1.505) observed were significant (PPb>Zn. Statistical Pearson moment correlation analysis showed that the concentrations of heavy metals detected were independent of the weight of sampled fish for zinc but was positively correlated for copper and lead. Relating the mean metal concentrations obtained in the study with Food and Agriculture Organization standard for fish muscles indicated that mean concentrations of copper, zinc and lead are far above safe margins for human consumption except the fish sourced from sites A4 and A9 for lead and zinc, respectively. Margin of exposure was below one and tentatively considered not to be of risk to public health. However, there is considerable contamination of the Silver catfish from the River Niger with heavy metals. It is recommended that substantial attention be paid to the heavy metal levels in freshwater fishes from the river. Measures should be put in place to regulate the indiscriminate dredging activities, discharge of raw sewage and industrial effluent into the river and regular public health check on the level of heavy metals among the populace in the communities that border the area should be employed.
VL  - 2
IS  - 4
ER  -

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