Comparative Analysis of Heavy Metals in Fishes (Tilapia and Catfish) Found in Damba and Wanke Road Dams –Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was a response to the growing concern as regard the roles and fates of Heavy Metals in the Nigerian environment and its impact on human health. The concentrations of eight Heavy Metals (Pd, Zn, Cr, Mn, Cd, Fe, Cu and Ni) was determined in sediment, soil, water  and two variety of Fish Namely Tilapia and Catfish; using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. .Interestingly Cadmium, Lead and Nickel have not been detected in all the samples analysed. However the levels of Cr and Zn were extremely higher than their respective permissible limits in soil (100mg/kg and 300mg/kg), water (0.05mg/l and 5.0mg/l) and sediment (121mg/kg and 37.6mg/kg) respectively. The concentration of Zn in sediment of Damba Dam was 60 times higher than the permissible limits, indicating accumulation of this toxic metal in the dam. Cr concentrations were also higher than the permissible limits in sediment of Wanke Road Dam. Contamination of both Cr and Zn was also obtained in the edible parts of fish from these Dams.