The Effects of EDTA on Lead Accumulation in Tissues of Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

This study was intended to determine the lead accumulation levels in liver, gill, kidney, brain, and muscle tissues of Clarias gariepinus (African sharp tooth catfish) under the sole effect of lead (1.0 and 2.0 ppm) and combined with EDTA (Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) (2.0 and 4.0 ppm) for 7, 15, and 30 days. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine tissue lead levels, and the SPSS package program was used for statistical evaluation of the experimental data. No mortality was observed in fish over the time periods of the experiments, and concentrations were determined with lead only and with lead together with EDTA. At the end of the experimental periods, the presence of lead increased the metal accumulation in the tissues and organs examined when compared to the control, and, in terms of accumulation, a relationship was determined between the tissues in the order of gill > kidney > liver > brain > muscle. The effect of lead together with EDTA was reduced lead accumulation in tissues and organs when compared to the effect of lead only.