Heavy Metals in Eight Edible Fish Species from Two Polluted Tributaries (Aik and Palkhu) of the River Chenab, Pakistan

Abstract

Concentration of heavy metals (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu)) was determined in the liver, gills, kidneys, and muscles of eight edible fish species (Channa punctata, Cirrhinus reba, Labeo rohita, Heteropneustes fossilis, Mystus cavasius, Oreochromis niloticus, Puntius sophore, and Wallago attu) from upstream and downstream zones of the Nullah Aik and Palkhu tributaries of the River Chenab located in the Sialkot district known for its tanning industries worldwide. The pattern of metal accumulation in studied organs was in the order: Cr > Pb > Cu > Cd. Liver showed greater metal accumulation, followed by gills, kidneys, and muscles. Accumulation of Pb and Cr was significantly different in organs between upstream and downstream zones. Accumulation was greater in fish species dwelling downstream, indicating impairment of ambient stream water due to untreated discharge of industrial and municipal effluents into studied streams. Highest concentration of Pb and Cr and lowest of Cd was detected in H. fossilis whereas Cu showed higher concentration and Cr lowest concentration in P. sophore. In contrast, lower concentration of Pb and Cu was recorded in M. cavasius, O. niloticus, and W. attu. Mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Cu were higher in pre-monsoon compared to post-monsoon season. Measured concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cr in muscles of species such as C. punctata, W. attu, L. rohita, P. sophore, and O. niloticus were above permissible limits of heavy metals for human consumption, indicating potential health risks. Therefore, these fish species from studied locations should be avoided for human diet.

Heavy metal (cadmium, lead, and chromium) contamination infarmed fish: a potential risk for consumers’ health

“…These tributaries bring many untreated metal contaminants from tanneries and other industrial and city wastes from Sialkot and the Wazirabad area, polluting the river (Qadir et al, 2009). Qadir and Malik (2011) also recorded Cd, Cr, and Pb in edible flesh of Labeo rohita collected from Nullah Aik and Nullah Palkhu at 0.8900 ± 0.06, 3.6300 ± 0.0410, and 4.3500 ± 2.0100 µg g -1…”

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

“…The degree of bioaccumulation in fish is, however, influenced by a number of biotic and abiotic factors, which can alter the accumulation and availability of elements. Physicochemical factors such as pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen have been shown to influence the availability of elements (Van Vuren et al, 1994;Qadir and Malik, 2011). Age, body mass, gender and physiological condition of fish (Alhashemi et al, 2011) are a few biological factors which can influence the concentrations of trace elements.…”

Enzyme activity and morphological change in the spleens of crucian carp in the Yongcheng coal mine subsidence area, China

“…Aquatic organisms respond to changes in their environment, and the responses in turn reflect the prevailing health status of the aquatic ecosystem (Qadir et al, 2008;Qadir and Malik, 2011). Our preliminary assessment of water collected from the experimental site revealed that it contained heavy metals such as Cr, Pb, and Cd at higher concentrations than those at the control site (P < 0.01, data not shown).…”