Analysis of Heavy Metals in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Micropogonias undulatus and Mugil cephalus Fish Species Caught in Brass River

Abstract

<jats:p>This research analyses heavy metals presence in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Micropogonias undulatus and Mugil Cephalus fish species found in Brass River. This study focuses on the concentrations of major heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg and As) in the three fishes named above. The fish samples were collected from fishermen from the Brass River during the months of September and October 2023. The heavy metal concentration in the fish samples were analysed through the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in order to estimate the presence of heavy metals pollution in fish species of the river. The result show that the concentration of Pb (0.204 µg/ml), Cd (0.022 µg/ml) and Cr (0.004 µg/ml) were the highest in the Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus with a high relative standard deviation. While Hg and As have negative values. In Micropogonias undulatus, the concentration of Pb (0.241µg/ml), Cd (0.020µg/ml) and Cr (0.018µg/ml) were the highest with a relative standard deviation of 8.28%, 19.94% and 15.55% respectively. Hg and As have negative values. While in Mugil cephalus, the concentration of Pb (0.337µg/ml) and Cr (0.007µg/ml) were the highest with a relative standard deviation of 9.53% and 3.56% respectively. Cd, Hg and As have negative values. The level of these heavy metals in fishes of the river were found below the permissible limit. Thus, the study revealed that the heavy metals concentration in fish in Brass River is low. However, the heavy metals analysed in this research are known to be very toxic even at low concentrations. Hence, adequate attention should be given to ensure that there is no further pollution of heavy metals in the river in order to avoid future deleterious health effects to humans.</jats:p>