Metal concentrations in water, sediment, and fish from sewage-fed aquaculture ponds of Kolkata, India

Abstract

The concentrations of lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, and zinc were investigated in the sewage-fed pond water, sediment, and the various organs of Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Oreochromis mossambicus, and Cyprinus carpio cultured in sewage-fed ponds, Kolkata, India. Among the metals, cadmium, lead, and zinc were detected in water and, except lead, were below the water quality guideline levels for the protection of freshwater aquatic life proposed by CEQG (Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines) and AENV (Alberta Environment). Therefore, lead could pose danger to aquatic organisms. All the five metals were detected in the sediment and, except cadmium and lead, were below the sediment quality guideline levels for aquatic life proposed by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Therefore, these two metals could be toxic to aquatic organisms. Significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed among the five fish species for all these metals accumulation. Also, significant (P > 0.05) differences were noticed among these metals accumulation in fish organs. Cadmium showed the least bioaccumulation, while zinc showed the highest bioaccumulation in all the fish species. Though the metal concentration in the different fish tissues was variable, the highest concentration was found in kidney and the lowest in the muscle. Concentrations of these metals in the muscle tissue of all the fish species were well below the consumption safety tolerance in fish set by WHO/FAO, and thus, so far as these metals are concerned, these sewage-fed cultured fishes are safe and suitable for human consumption.

Heavy Metal Accumulation Potential of Some Wetland Plants Growing Naturally in the City of Kolkata, India

“…However, Pb was low compared to that of a sewage fed fish pond in East Kolkata wetland [44]. All values were within the prescribed limits for metals (Pb: 0.…”

Heavy metals and arsenic concentrations in ten fish species from the Šalek lakes (Slovenia): assessment of potential human health risk due to fish consumption

“…Worldwide, fish products represent only up to 10% of human diet; nevertheless, they represent the main uptake routes of metals (especially Hg) into the human body (Bienelli and Provini 2004;Chi et al 2007;Deshpande et al 2008;Storelli 2008;Ruelas-Inzunza et al 2010). Human health risk due to the consumption of fish loaded with metals is the subject of many recent studies (HasShön et al 2007b;Castro-Gonzales and MendezArmenta 2008;Türkmen et al 2009); furthermore, it has been shown that in some cases the intake of fish should be regulated (Chi et al 2007;Adhikari et al 2009;Nawaz et al 2009). Castro-Gonzales and Mendez-Armenta (2008) suggested not only that people should eat smaller quantities of fish known to accumulate mercury but also that they should eat a diversity of fish in order to avoid consuming unhealthy quantities of heavy metals.…”

Fish farming and anti-fouling paints: a potential source of Cu and Zn in farmed fish

“…The accumulation of elements in different fish tissues depends on the function of each tissue, the uptake route, the physiology of the fish species and behavioural factors such as habitat use and feeding habits, as well as the degree of contamination (Alam et al 2002). Metals and trace elements chiefly accumulate in metabolically active tissues (Saha et al 2006, Adhikari et al 2009). The liver has been shown to be the main storage tissue for metals (Alam et al 2002, Coǧ un et al 2006, Ferreira et al 2008.…”