Analysis of heavy metals in fish and river water of Gulbin Miyah Augie, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, the Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic technique was applied to determine the concentration of Iron (Fe), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), and Lead (Pb) in fish (Clarias gariepinus) and river water obtained from Gulbin Miyah Augie Local Government Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in fish and river water were: Cd (0.127 ppm and 0.203 ppm), Cu (1.550 ppm and 1.072 ppm), Pb (1.101 ppm and 2.497 ppm), and Iron (0.255 ppm and 0.275 ppm), respectively. The order of decreasing heavy metals concentration in fish and river water were; Cu > Pb > Fe > Cd and Pb > Cu > Fe > Cd respectively. Regarding the mean concentration of the total heavy metals concentration for each metal, it can be said that the river water sample which is (sample A) has the highest concentration of Fe, Pb, and Cd, which are below the recommended maximum limit by WHO. While the concentration of Cu is generally well high in the fish sample (C. gariepinus) of Gulbin Miyah (sample B) which is above the recommended maximum limit (WHO), hence it can be concluded that the fish (C. gariepinus) of Gulbin Miyah was polluted with Cu, this is due to the human activities around the river area, therefore the people that are around this area should be cautious.

Keywords: AAS, fish, river, WHO, metal concentration, contamination.