Abstract

The concentrations of Arsenic (As) and Cadmium (Cd) were measured in the gills and muscle of Sarotherodonmelanotheron(a locally available species) and Tilapia zilli (imported from China) in Port Harcourt in 2012 to establish their suitability for consumption as food. The samples S. melanotheron and T. zilli were derived from Creek Road market and a cold-room in Mile One Market respectively.The heavy metal analysis was performed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer AAS model GBC Avanta Pm. The levels of metal varied in the organs and in the fish species. Mean concentrations of As in S. melanotheron were 0.74±0.06 mg/kg and 0.68±0.07 mg/kg in gill and muscle respectively. Cd was 0.098±0.001 mg/kg in gill and 0.026±0.015 mg/kg in muscles. In T. zilli As concentration was 0.64±0.04 mg/kg in gills and 0.53±0.04 mg/kg in muscle. Cd concentration was 0.18±0.009 mg/kg in the gills and 0.17±0.063 in the muscles. The concentration of As in S. melanotheron was not significantly different from that in T. zilli, while Cd was significantly higher (p<0.01) in T. zilli. Concentrations of As and Cd in T. zilli and As in S. melanotheron were above WHO (1981) permissible limit. The implication of these levels was discussed.

Keywords:

Arsenic, bioaccumulation, cadmium, Sarotherodon melanotheron, Tilapia zilli,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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