Bacterial Contaminants and Heavy Metal Accumulating Potentials of Fin-Fishes (Synodontis obesus and Marcusenius senegalensis) from Humic Freshwater
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Microbiology - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 1
Abstract
The bacterial contaminants and heavy metal accumulating potentials of fin-fishes (Synodontis obesus and Marcusenius senegalensis) from the humic ecosystem of Eniong River, Akwa Ibom State were investigated. The results obtained revealed that the bacterial loads varied with the type of fin-fish and were much higher in fish intestines, when compared with the skin and gills. The heterotrophic bacterial loads obtained exceeded the 1.2 x 105cfu/g limit recommended for fresh fishes. High and unsafe fecal coliform (1.1 ± 0.1 x 103cfu/g -2.0 +0.39x 103cfu/g) loads were also obtained. Heavy metal analysis also revealed the presence of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb in the humic sediment. Concentrations of Cd (4.71 ± 0.34 to 4.91± 0.39 mg/kg), Cr (18.06 ± 5.78 to 20.22 ± 1.11 mg/kg), Cu (35.33 ± 3.25 to 40.28 ± 2.44 mg/kg), Ni (2.16 ± 0.07 to 2.26 ± 0.18 mg/kg) and Pb (175.85 ± 7.75 to 191. 08 ± 20.11 mg/kg) were found in the order Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd>Ni. Sequential extraction method (SEM) of analysis revealed the poor bioavailability status of heavy metals in sediment. It also showed that the percentage of bio-available and non-bio-available fractions of metals in sediment varied with the type of metals. Cu with 62.04% availability rate was the most bio-available element, as against Pb with 25.22% availability rate. These correspond to their 32.4% and 65.2 % residual potency rates. The calculated Biota to Sediment Accumulating Factor values for heavy metals in the fin-fishes revealed varied levels of accumulation in fishes. Cu (3.73±1.39 mg/kg) in Synodontis obesus was the most accumulated. However, analysis of the bio-accumulation factors (BCF values) revealed generally low accumulation determined by fish type as well as the metal fractions and bio-available status. The results indicate the poor microbiological quality and poor potential of the fin-fishes as sentinel organism for metals contamination monitoring. These call for proper processing of aquatic foods as well as routine monitoring (but with alternative sentinels) to arrest the growing influence of anthropogenic activities on the level of heavy metals in Eniong River.
Authors and Affiliations
Okon, Ufokette Christopher, Umana, Senyene Idorenyin, O. K. Fatunla, N. O. Abiaobo, Essien, Joseph Peter
Bioefficacy Test of Different Chemotherapeutic Substances against Aspergillus sp. and Chrysosporium sp. Contaminants of Tissue-Cultured Abaca (Musa textiles NEE.) during Initial Stage of Micropropagation
The study was conducted at the Tissue Culture Laboratory and Crop Research Laboratory of the University of Southeastern Philippines to test the efficacy of selected antibiotics and antifungal agents in the elimination of...
The Prevalence of Skin-tattooing and HIV among Students of Three Tertiary Institutions in Ondo State, Southwest, Nigeria
With the huge potential health hazards and dangers associated with skin and sclera tattooing, there is hardly any responsible government anywhere that will not take interest in the rate and manner its populace in general...
The Case Report of the Pulmonary Larval Paragonimiasis with Simulating Cancer of the Lung
Larval Paragonimiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the larvae of the pulmonary fluke. In contrast to the classical Paragonimiasis, larval occurs with a large number of clinical manifestations. However, this fact only...
Antibacterial Activity of Boswellia dalzielii Leaves Extracts against Some Pathogenic Bacterial Isolates
Aim: The study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial activity of Boswllia dalzielii leaves extracts and its major phytochemical constituents. Materials and Methods: The aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts...
Effectiveness of Griess Nitrite Test on Screening Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy: A Cross Sectional Study in Harare, Zimbabwe
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of the Griess test on screening asymptomatic bacteriuria when compared to culture. Study Design: This study was conducted using the cross sectional study design. P...