Comparing the Levels of Trace Metal from Two Fish Species Harvested from Treated Waste Water in Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

The persistent problem of water scarcity with the ever increasing demand of water has necessitated the reuse of effluent in agriculture. The present study evaluated the reuse of treated waste water and bioaccumulation properties of two fish species from a manmade lake. Trace metals content of two fish species: Clarias gariepinus and Cyprinus carpio and levels of trace metals from waste water in the lake where the fish species were harvested were determined by Inductive Couple Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). The trace metal values from fish samples ranged between 0.45-4.41 microg g(-1) for Cu, 16.45-72.23 microg g(-1) for Zn, 1.92-4.71 microg g(-1) for Cr, 2.45-5.65 microg g(-1) for Ni, 10.23-44.31 microg g(-1) for Mn, 9.67-46.59 microg g(-1) for Fe and 0.12-0.56 microg g(-1) for Pb. The carp exhibited a significantly higher concentration for the trace metals for all the parts analyzed (p<0.01). The levels of trace metals concentration from Cyprinus carpio was in the order liver>gill>muscle>bone and metal accumulation was in the order Zn>Fe>Mn>Cr>Ni >Cu>Pb. The concentration of trace metals such as zinc, iron, chromium and nickel were higher than the recommended legal limits for human consumption. The result revealed that properly treated waste water could be used for the purpose of aquaculture. Clarias gariepinus bio accumulated more trace metals from the lake when compared with Cyprinus carpio.

High affinity of cadmium and copper to head kidney of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

“…Also Radhakrishnan (2010) observed that levels of metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr) in Heteropneustes fossilis gill, liver and muscle were higher than in water. Olowoyo et al (2011) reported that concentrations of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb in C. carpio and Clarias gariepinus liver, gill, muscle, bone were higher compared to the levels of these metals in water and concluded that it was a result of bioaccumulation.…”

“…Various authors (e.g., Kraal et al 1995; Jacobson and Reimschuessel 1998; McGeer et al 2000; Celechovska et al 2007; Ghedira et al 2010; Radhakrishnan 2010; Shao et al 2010) showed that the highest concentrations of copper were noted in fish liver. Liver being main detoxification site in organism is also an organ that bioaccumulates toxic substances, and thus, it usually shows higher concentrations of metals than another tissues (Allen 1995; Olowoyo et al 2011). Couture and Kumar (2003) suggested that copper and cadmium concentration led to an up-regulation of liver protein metabolism, presumably at least in part for the purpose of metals detoxification.…”

Assessment of Some Heavy Metal Concentration in Fish, Water, And Sediment Of River Ndakotsu, Lapai, Niger State

“…Mn was found to be the lowest concentration of heavy metals across the three station of the river, ranges from 0.44±0.03 a mg/kg, 0.33±0.02 a mg/kg and 0.43±0.03 a mg/kg and they all have the same significant differences across the three station of the river, this finding is supported by the report of Oluseye et al (2012), who also recorded low concentration for Clarias garienpinus and Oreochromis niloticus. However, Mn fish helps in fish reproduction and normal functioning of nervous system (Olowoyo et al, 2011). the findings of this research shows that concentration of Mn was significant at p<0.05.…”

“…The concentration could be attributed to bioaccumulation of pollutant over a long period of time from other pollutant source. However, low concentrations of Pb inhibit inactive transport mechanisms involving ATP and also suppress cellular oxidation-reduction reaction (Olowoyo et al 2011).…”