Arsenic, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, lead, selenium and zinc in the tissues of the largemouth yellowfish, <i>Labeobarbus kimberleyensis</i> (Gilchrist and Thompson, 1913), from the Vaal Dam, South Africa, and associated consumption risks

Abstract

Arsenic, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, lead, selenium and zinc in the tissues of the largemouth yellowfish, Labeobarbus kimberleyensis (Gilchrist and Thompson, 1913)

Trace element accumulation and human health risk assessment of <i>Labeo capensis</i> (Smith, 1841) from the Vaal Dam reservoir, South Africa

“…The dominant elements within L. capensis muscle tissue were As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se and Zn, which were present at higher concentrations than Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and V. High concentrations of Cu (1.59 µg/g dw), Fe (16.49 µg/g dw) and Zn (29.4 µg/g dw) in muscle are not surprising in this tissue and these findings corroborate previous studies (Wepener et al, 2011;Subotić et al, 2013;Gilbert and Avenant-Oldewage, 2014). Furthermore, in comparison to other elements within muscle tissue, previous studies have reported high As, Mn and Se concentrations.…”

“…In the present study, the liver had accumulated the highest concentrations of Cu, Fe, Se and Zn. Gilbert and Avenant-Oldewage (2014) found that the liver of Labeobarbus kimberleyensis (Gilchrist and Thompson, 1913) had accumulated the highest concentrations of Cu (11.68 µg/g dw), Fe (113.22 µg/g dw), Se (2.57 µg/g dw) and Zn (32.6 µg/g dw), whilst Crafford and Avenant-Oldewage (2011) found that livers of Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822 had accumulated higher Cu (40.22 µg/g dw), Fe (2041.79 µg/g dw) and Zn (76.61 µg/g dw) levels than other tissues. In comparison to the these studies, L. capensis liver tissue possessed higher concentrations of Cu, Fe, Se and Zn.…”

“…The arch and filament are often studied together as whole gills (Jirsa et al, 2008;Squadrone et al, 2013;Subotić et al, 2013;Gilbert and Avenant-Oldewage, 2014), but are also investigated separately (Crafford and Avenant-Oldewage, 2010; 2011). The present study found As (3.87 µg/g dw), Cr (1.08 µg/g dw) and V (3.29 µg/g dw) accumulated to the greatest extent in the gill arch, with Mn (47.27 µg/g dw) and Pb (0.66 µg/g dw) found at the highest concentrations in the gill filaments.…”

“…These include longevity to assess exposure time, capability to bioaccumulate contaminants to high levels without death, large bodies to supply sufficient tissue for analysis, existence at different trophic levels, abundance, and ease of sampling (Zhou et al, 2008;Wood, 2012). Some trace elements accumulated within fish tissues, including the ones of major concern with regard to pollution, such as Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, are present at higher concentrations within the liver, kidney and gills in comparison to other tissues (Wepener et al, 2011;Wood, 2012;Squadrone et al, 2013;Vrhovnik et al, 2013;Gilbert and Avenant-Oldewage, 2014). The higher concentrations within the liver and kidney have been attributed to the presence of metallothioneins, and the detoxification role and metabolic activity of these two organs.…”

“…(Wepener et al, 2011), and therefore requires continual monitoring. Studies have previously been performed within the Vaal Dam reservoir assessing the trace element concentrations present within the biota, sediment and water (Retief et al, 2006(Retief et al, , 2009Avenant-Oldewage, 2010, 2011;Wepener et al, 2011;Gilbert and Avenant-Oldewage, 2014).…”