Levels of Heavy Metals in Water, Fish (Oreochromis niloticus) and Sediment from the Afram River, Ghana

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Levels of Heavy Metals in Water, Fish (Oreochromis niloticus) and Sediment from the Afram River, Ghana

Journal Title: Haya: The Saudi Journal of Life Sciences - Year 2018, Vol 3, Issue 3

Abstract

Abstract:In aquatic ecosystems, metal concentrations are monitored by measuring the levels in fish, water and sediments. Contribution of heavy metals in the water bodies include industrial effluents, fossil fuels burning, agricultural runoffs, geological weathering domestic waste and human and animal excretions. Water, sediment and fish samples from the river were used to assess the levels of heavy metals concentration in the river. The objective of this study was to measure the concentration of levels of the heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni) in samples of water, fish (Oreochromis niloticus) and sediments from Afram River. Heavy metal concentration and selected physicochemical parameters (Electrical conductivity, Temperature, TDS and pH) of the water samples were determined. Levels of the heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni) in water, fish (Oreochromis niloticus) and sediments from Afram River were determined using VARIAN AA 240FS-Atomic Absorption Spectrometer in an acetylene- air flame. In the fish (Oreochromis niloticus) samples, the highest concentrations of 50.46 mg/kg, 34.18 mg/kg, and 15.60 mg/kg were recorded for the metal Fe in the fish gills, bones and muscles respectively whereas the lowest concentration of < 0.08 mg/kg was recorded for the metal Cd in the gills, bones and muscle. The concentration of 0.455 mg/L was highest for the Pb metal in the water sample and a lowest of <0.002 mg/L for Co. In the sediment, Fe recorded the highest concentration of 167.03 mg/kg and a lowest concentration of < 0.027 mg/kg in Cd. The concentration of Mn and Pb in fish samples exceeded the WHO acceptable limit. The concentrations of the metals Pb and Ni in the water were also higher than the WHO permissible limit. The physicochemical parameters pH, conductivity, temperature and TDS which were measured for the water were also within the limit. In the sediments, Fe recorded the highest whilst Cd recorded the least concentration. Keywords: Heavy metals, Afram River, Cadmium, lead, Manganese, Nickel, Chromium, Iron, Cobalt, Copper, Zinc, Sediment, water and Fish.

Authors and Affiliations

Margaret Boohene, Wonder Agbasah

Keywords

Heavy metals Afram River Cadmium lead Manganese Nickel Chromium Iron Cobalt Copper Zinc Sediment water and Fish.

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EP ID EP397647
DOI -
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