Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research
Gohar Nayab Tariq Hussain
Abstracts
The current study was undertaken to determine the histopathology and
heavy metals content (lead and cadmium) in water and in fish samples
caught from the Tigris River in Baghdad. Results showed that metal
accumulation in fish tissue was detected in the following descending order:
Pb > Cd. The general order of metals levels in different tissues are
represented as follows livers > kidneys > muscles> gills. These results
present a good indicator for bio-monitoring of heavy metals pollution in the
Tigris River. Hence, it is very important to make a comprehensive
assessment of the hazards posed by these metals in other water bodies of
the country.
Introduction
Globally, pollution of aquatic biota represents a major problem, which is
usually brought about by increasing industrial wastewater, agricultural,
commercial and human activities. Heavy metals are representing the main
hazards of all environmental pollutants due to their tendency to bio-
accumulate and their toxicity ability (El-Nagger, 2009). They generally
gain access into aquatic ecosystem through both natural and anthropogenic
sources. This may become a serious hazard as they are non-biodegradable,
and are biomagnified via food chain. Fish have been recognized as the
main aquatic organisms that accumulate considerable amounts of certain
metals.
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Material or Method
The Study Site:
Baghdad City is separated by Tigris River into a Karsh (right side) and into
Rusafa (left side) sections with a flow way from 2 are North to South. This
study involved three sites along the stretch of the Tigris River in Baghdad.
The first site was designated as a reference or control site since it is far
from any industrial and agriculture activities. The second ch site was sited
near the confluence of the Diyala River with Tigris River about 10 Km
from the third site. The third was situated of nearby Ibn-Khateeb Hospital.
Fish & Water Sampling:
A total of 150 of L xanthopterus fish (weight ranged between 100 and 150
g and length ranged between 10 and 20 cm) were caught from the three
sampling sites (up and downstream of Tigris River) for three months from
October to December 2018. The fish were kept in a cooler packed with
fresh water from Tigris River and then transported to the laboratory for
dissection. Water samples of approximately 1 L were collected from the
three sites (10 sample/site) at about 30 cm depth. These samples were
stored in polypropylene bottles washed with distilled water and after that
with the river water from the sampling stations. Then, water samples were
filtered and preserved in 5 ml of HNO3/L (55%) of water to prevent metal
adsorption on the inner surface of the bottle and were stored at 4 °C for
estimation of heavy metals.
Analysis of heavy metals:
Heavy metal analysis included evaluation of Cd and Pb concentrations in
tissues and water samples according to the protocol proposed by Al-
Subiai , Moody, Mustafa, and Jha (2011), Tissues (livers, kidneys, muscles
and gills) were dried to constant weight.
Soon after catching, tissue specimens (liver, kidney, muscles, and gills)
from each collected fish were carefully removed and pre served in 10%
buffered formalin (40%, UK). Then, the organs were dehydrated in
ascending grades of alcohol and cleared in xylene impregnated and
embedded in paraffin wax at 56 °C for one hour and sectioned into 5 am
thickness. Sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (Bancroft,
Stevens, & Turner, 1996). Then, the sections were observed under light
microscope and photographed using a microscopic camera.
Statistical analysis:
Analysis of data was performed using SPSS Statistics 20 Anderson-Darling
test was applied for testing the normality of data at 95% confidence. The
data obtained from this study were - expressed as mean ± standard
deviation (SD). One-way and two way analysis of variable (ANOVA) were
applied to assess for significant differences in the levels of heavy metals in
the tissue samples and the sites. Multifactor analysis of variance and
Turkey pairwise comparison were used for comparison of means. A result
of the test was considered significant if P value is <0.05.
Results
Analysis of heavy metals in water samples:
The mean levels of heavy metals in water are shown in Table 1. Average
mean level of Pb was the highest in site 3 and was the low est in site 1
(reference site). Average mean concentration of Cd was the highest in site 2
and was the lowest in site 1. These values were exceeded on standard
safety levels set by WHO (2011).
Analysis of heavy metals in tissues:
The levels of Pb and Cd in different tissues obtained from the three
sampled sites are shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The current data showed that the
amount of heavy metals accumulated in tissues was detected in the
following descending order: Pb> Cd. The general order of both Pb and Cd
levels in various tis sues of the L xanthopterus can be represented as
follows liver > kidney > muscles > gills. The highest values of these metals
were recorded at site 3, which received industrial wastes followed by site 2,
which received the agricultural wastes. The lowest values of Pb and Cd
were reported at site 1. The highest concentration of Pb was recorded in
livers tissue of site 3. This was statistically significant (P < 0.05) compared
to sites 2 and 1. The second highest intensity of Pb and Cd accumulation
was in kidney tissue followed by the muscles and gills. Cd recorded the
highest values in livers at sites 2 and 3. However, the differences were not
statistically significant (P>0.05) because of a relatively high variability of
individual observations. Further, Cd showed the lowest concentration in the
muscles followed by gills tissue.
Conclusion
This study suggests that Luciobarbus xanthopterus has the ability to bio
accumulate some heavy metals in its tissues with varying levels and so it
could be used as a significant bio-monitor to assess metal pollution in
many aquatic environments. Results showed that metal accumulation in
fish tissue was detected in the following descending order: Pb> Cd. The
general order of metals levels in different tissues was livers > kidneys >
muscles> gills. These metals (Pb and Cd) were above the maximum levels
set by WHO. This was rein forced by observing several histopathological
changes in the Luciobarbus xanthopterus tissues. Based on these results,
the authorities should give great concerns to save the Tigris River from
pollution risks.
References
Abalaka, S.E., 2015. Heavy metals bioaccumulation and histopathological
changes in Auchenoglanis occidentals fish from Tiga dam, Nigeria. Journal
of Environmental Health Science & Engineering 13, 1-8. Al-Lami, A.A.,
Al-Jaberi, H.H., 2002. Heavy metals in water, suspended particles
andsediment of the upper-mid region of Tigris River, Iraq. Proc of Int
Symp on Environ Poll Control and Waste Manage, pp. 97-102 Al-Saadi,
HA, Al-Mayaly, E.K. Hassian, D.M., 2002. Heavy metals in diyala and
Tigris River Southern Baghdad City, Iraq, Journal of al-qadisiyah for Pure
Science..
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