Estimation of Some Heavy Metals and Mineral Elements in Tissues of Oreochromis niloticus Collected from Goronyo Dam and its Two Tributaries inNorth-Western Sub-Sahara Nigeria

Abstract

The Nile TilapiaOreochromis niloticus(a fish species) was collected from Goronyo Dam, its two tributaries and Rima River(an overflow of Goronyo Dam) in two seasons for comparative studies of metal contents in gills, muscles and bones. The samples were dissected, organs were collected and digested by FAO/SIDA methods of 1983. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer(AAS) was used for the estimation of metals and mineral elements in the samples as described in the Pye Unican Atomic Absorption data book(1984). Only fishes collected in season II(August-September) of Goronyo Dam had lead(Pb) values in gills, muscles and bones higher than theWorld Health Organizationstandard of 2.0 μg/g in sea foods. Oreochromis niloticus species of season II consumed from Goronyo Dam can be a rich source of Pb to humans.