A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON HEAVY METALS IN CATFISH (clarias garipenus)

AT MBO RIVER AND IKO RIVER FISHING TERMINALS

A RESEARCH PROJECT
BY
AKATA, JOY IFIOK
AK18/BGS/MAB/003

SUBMITTED TO
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE BIOLOGY
FACULTY OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE(B.Sc.) IN MARINE BIOLOGY
MAY, 2023
 INTRODUCTION
Heavy metals are natural trace components of the aquatic environment, but their levels have increased due to industrial,
agricultural and mining activities. This has led to aquatic animals being exposed to elevated levels of heavy metals. The
levels of metals in the upper members of the food web, like fish, can reach values many times higher than those found
in the aquatic environment or in sediments. Some metals are toxic to living organisms even at low concentrations,
whereas others are biologically essential and become toxic at relatively high concentrations or with overtime
accumulation (Sastry, 1979). Heavy metal toxicity is a subject that requires attention from scientists and policy makers
to increase public understanding of the severity of conditions caused by toxic elements and to minimize heavy metal-
related illnesses and deaths (KaradedeAkin and Ünlü, 2007).
Fish are regarded as a desirable and nutritional source of high-quality protein and a generous supply of minerals and
vitamins. However, during the last few decades, great attention has been paid to the possible dangers of many
environmental pollutants due to the consumption of contaminated fish. Industrial and agricultural discharges such as
coal and oil combustion, phosphate fertilizers, plastics, and pesticides are considered the major sources of heavy metal
pollutants in water.
 LITERATURE REVIEW
Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish, named for their prominent barbels. They are found in freshwater
environments across the world, with some species from the Ariidae and Plotosidae families found in marine
environments. They range in size and behavior, with the Mekong giant catfish, the wels catfish, and the piraíba being
the three largest species alive. Catfish have a considerable commercial value, and many of the larger species are
farmed or fished for food, while smaller species, like the Corydoras, are important in the aquarium hobby (Wolf,
2015).

Despite their name, not all catfish have prominent barbels, and they have well-developed sensory organs covering
their bodies, with their hearing apparatus being in their swim bladder. Catfish are of considerable importance as a
source of protein and healthy fats, with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids playing a vital role in heart and cognitive
health .

Heavy metals are natural elements characterized by their high atomic mass and density. They are found throughout
the Earth's crust and are present in low concentrations in the soil, air, water, and biological matter. However, human
activities such as mining, industrialization, and urbanization have increased the concentration of heavy metals in the
environment, leading to pollution. Heavy metals are toxic to organisms and pose a significant risk to the environment
and human health (Dufus, 2002). Anthropogenic activities like mining, smelters and foundries, combustion, and
traffic are some of the main sources of heavy metal pollution (Akbulut et al., 2010).
 METHODS
Study Area and Sampling Location
This work will be carried out in two different regions at Mbo River and Iko River in Akwa Ibom State.
Materials
Catfish, Refrigerator, Distilled Water, Plastics Container, Oven, Measuring tape, Volumetric Flask, Foil paper, Filter
paper, Hot plate, Knife, Conical Flask, Weighing Balance, Mortar And Pestle, Teflon Forceps, Atomic Absorption
Spectrometer (AAS).
Reagents and Standard Solutions
The reagents that will be use for the analysis are Nitric acid (HNO 3), Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Sample Collection
Live species of freshly caught catfish (Clarias gariepinus) will be purchased from fishermen at the river sites in two
different terminals at Mbo river and Iko river in Akwa Ibom State.
Sample Preparation
Digestion is the process of decomposing a sample into a liquid form by treatment with enzymes or strong alkalis
Determination of Heavy Metals
These techniques make use of Atomic Absorption Spetrophotometer (AAS), in order to assess the concentration of
specific analytes within the samples.

Statistical Analysis
The data obtained will be processed statistically and presented as mean ± standard error of mean. Statistical significance
of comparison of data will be analysed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
 RESULT 6.000

5.000
Table 1: Concentration of heavy metals on two fish sample (MCF-1 and
ICF-2) collected from two different locations (Mbo and Iko rivers) 4.000
respectively.
Sample ID Pb Cr Ni Cd Fe Hg V As 3.000

2.000
MCF-1
1.000

(mg/kg) 0.001 0.040 4.680 0.080 2.880 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.000
MCF-1 (mg/kg) ICF- 2 (mg/kg)

ICF- 2 Lead (Pb) Chromium (Cr) Nickel (Ni) Cadmium (Cd)

Iron (Fe) Mercury (Hg) Vanadium (V) Arsenic (As)

(mg/kg) 0.040 0.080 4.320 0.120 5.360 0.001 0.001 0.001 Figure 4.1: concentration of heavy metals on fish sample MCF-1 and
ICF-2 collected from Mbo and Iko rivers respectively
Table 2: Concentration of heavy metal with their standard deviation and
percentage (%) occurrence for MCF-1
Samples Unit SD % WHO standard Samples Unit SD % WHO standard
(mg/kg) Occurrence (mg/kg) (mg/kg) Occurrence (mg/kg)
Lead (Pb) 0.001 ±1.806 0.013 5.000 Lead (Pb) 0.040 ±2.239 0.403 5.000
Chromium (Cr) 0.040 ±1.905 0.521 0.150 Chromium (Cr) 0.080 ±2.361 0.806 0.150
Nickel (Ni) 4.680 ±2.023 60.906 0.500 Nickel (Ni) 4.320 ±2.506 43.535 0.500
Cadmium (Cd) 0.080 ±1.279 1.041 0.050 Cadmium (Cd) 0.120 ±2.384 1.209 0.050
Iron (Fe) 2.880 ±1.283 37.480 cc 5.000 Iron (Fe) 5.360 ±2.680 54.016 5.000
Mercury (Hg) 0.001 ±0.035 0.013 0.150 Mercury (Hg) 0.001 ±0.000 0.010 0.150
Vanadium (V) 0.001 ±1.919 0.013 2.000 Vanadium (V) 0.001 ±0.000 0.010 2.000
Arsenic (As) 0.001 ±1.906 0.013 0.050 Arsenic (As) 0.001 ±2.239 0.010 0.050

Table 3: Concentration of heavy metal with their standard deviation and

percentage (%) occurrence for ICF-2
 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Table 4.5: Summary of heavy metal concentration The data presented in tables 4.3 and 4.4 show the concentrations of
eight heavy metals in catfish samples from two rivers, Mbo and Iko.
Groups Count Sum Average Variance
The concentrations are reported in mg/kg, and each sample is
Lead (Pb) 2 0.041 0.021 0.001
associated with a standard deviation (SD) and a percentage
Chromium (Cr) 2 0.120 0.060 0.001
occurrence. Overall, the heavy metal concentrations in the catfish
Nickel (Ni) 2 9.000 4.500 0.065
samples from both rivers are generally within the acceptable limits
Cadmium (Cd) 2 0.200 0.100 0.001
set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for fishery resources.
Iron (Fe) 2 8.240 4.120 3.075
However, the concentrations of some metals, particularly nickel
Mercury (Hg) 2 0.002 0.001 0.000
(Ni) and iron (Fe), are higher in the Iko River samples than in the
Vanadium (V) 2 0.002 0.001 0.000
Mbo River samples. The ANOVA statistical method reveals that
Arsenic (As) 2 0.002 0.001 0.000
there is a statistically significant difference in the concentration of
heavy metals between the two sample groups, suggesting that the
location of the fishery plays a significant role in the accumulation of
Table 4.6: ANOVA Result heavy metals in the catfish samples.
Source of
Variation SS df MS F P-value F crit The difference in heavy metal concentrations between the two rivers
Between could be attributed to various factors, including differences in the
Groups 55.101 7.000 7.872 20.040 0.00047 3.500 sources of pollution and the proximity of the sampling sites to
anthropogenic activities. It is important to continue monitoring
Within Groups 3.142 8.000 0.393
heavy metal concentrations in fishery resources to ensure that they
Total 58.243 15.000
are within acceptable limits for human consumption.
 CONCLUSION
The study analyzed the concentration of heavy metals in catfish samples from two rivers, Mbo and Iko,
and found that human activities such as industrial, domestic, and agricultural waste are polluting the rivers
with chemical pollutants that are absorbed by aquatic animals and plants. The analysis showed that the
location of the fishery plays a significant role in the accumulation of heavy metals in catfish samples, with
higher concentrations in the Iko River samples, likely due to more industries and human activities in the
area. The high concentrations of some heavy metals in both sample groups suggest that consuming catfish
from these rivers could pose health risks to humans.

RECOMMENDATION
The following recommendations are made to mitigate the danger of Excessive heavy metal in water
bodies.
• Adequate measure to be carried out to check dumping of toxic substance in the water bodies.
• There is also need for regular public health checks on the level of heavy metals among communities in
riverine areas.
• Safe disposal of domestic sewage and industrial effluent should be practice.
 REFERENCES

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Sastry K, Gupta P(1979). The effect of cadmium on the digestive system of the teleost fish, Heteropneustes
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Akbulut, M., Kaya, H., Celik, E.S., Odabasi, D.A., Odabasi, S.S., Selvi, K. 2010.Assessment of surface
waterquality in the Atikhisar Reservoir and Sarıçay Creek (Çanakkale, Turkey). Ekoloji. 19(74):139-149.

Dufus, J. H. Heavy metals‘ – A meaningless term? International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
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Wolf, N. (2015). Health Benefits of CatfishLivestrong.com. www.livestrong.com >Food and Drink.