Concentrations of zinc in Barbus marequensis from the lower Olifants River, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract

Zinc was detected in all the tissues examined, but in variable concentrations. The highest zinc concentrations were detected in the skin and ovaries. These zinc concentrations also differed significantly from the concentrations in the other tissues. The bioaccumulation pattern of zinc in the fish was determined as: skin >ovaries>liver>gills>vertebrae>testes>hindgut>foregut contents>kidney=foregut>hindgut contents>muscle>blood>fat>bile.Although significant differences (P<O.O5) between localities were detected no clear trend as to where the highest bioaccumulation had occurred, could be established. Significant seasonal differences were detected, but it was not always the same tissue that indicates these seasonal differences. The zinc concentrations detected in the fish suggest no serious zinc pollution in the lower Olifants River. Zinc levels detected in some of the tissues might indicate chronic exposure, causing possible sub-lethal effects. However, this should be investigated before final conclusions can be made.

Bioaccumulation of non-essential trace metals in tissues and organs of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (sharptooth catfish) from the Vaal River system – strontium, aluminium, lead and nickel

“…High metal concentrations were also recorded from gill arches. Similarly Seymore et al (1995) found high metal concentrations in vertebrae, and recommended the use of bony tissue for the analysis of Pb and Sr in fish. Playle (1998) concludes that metal-gill modelling is indeed a good framework for understanding and predicting metal toxicity to fish.…”

“…Radtke (1989) also proposed the use of strontium-calcium concentration ratios in otoliths as environmental indicators. Strontium can affect fish adversely at elevated levels, but, prior to a short review of available literature, Seymore et al (1995) stated that limited research has been conducted in this field.…”

“…In previous studies (Marx, 1996) only the gill filaments were used for metal analysis after being removed from the arches using small scissors. Seymore et al (1995) suggested that bony tissue should be included in metal accumulation studies. As a result both gill filaments and gill arches were used in the current study.…”

Metal and metalloid contamination in roadside soil and wild rats around a Pb–Zn mine in Kabwe, Zambia

“…Metals were extracted from the liver and kidney of the wild rats by acid digestion using a method modified from Seymore et al (1996). Briefly, 1 g of fresh tissue was placed in a 200 mL flask.…”

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Lake Sediments, Fish (Oreochromis niloticus and Serranochromis thumbergi), and Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) in Lake Itezhi-tezhi and Lake Kariba, Zambia

“…The liver and muscle samples were extracted by digestion using a method modified from Seymore et al (1996). Briefly, 1 g of fresh tissue was placed into a 200 ml flask.…”