ASSESSMENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN LOCAL AND IMPORTED FISH IN JEMA’A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
ASSESSMENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN LOCAL AND IMPORTED FISH IN JEMA’A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2017-08
Authors
BABA, Blessed
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Abstract
People in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, consume both imported and local fish without adequate information of likely health consequences from contamination. This knowledge gap is filled by this study. The aim of this work was to assess the heavy metals concentration in local and imported fish, as well as river water and sediment in the study area. To achieve the aim, a total of 21 fish samples comprising of local fish (Barbus occidentalis, Tilapia oreos, Clarias gariepinus) and imported fish (Ethmalosa fimbritus, Alosa fallax, Clupea harengus), 6 water samples and 6 sediment samples from Wonderful and Magami Rivers were collected and analysed for concentration of zinc, cadmium, iron, lead and mercury using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Degree of sediment contamination was assessed using geoaccumulation index. Target hazard quotient was used to assess human health risk in both local and imported fish. Awareness of risk associated with heavy metals in fish consumed in the study area was also examined and three hundred and eighty four copies of questionnaire were distributed to respondents using random sampling technique. Eight (8) wards namely Kafanchan A, Kafanchan B, Bedde, Kagoma, Jagindi, Asso, Kaninkon, and Gidan – Waya were chosen using purposive sampling. Data gathered from the questionnaire were summarized using simple statistics such as tabulation frequency and percentage. Forty – nine percent (49%) of respondents had some form of general awareness of risk in fish. However awareness was low on chemical specific risk in fish. People were unaware of metals in the order cadmium > iron > mercury > zinc > lead. Results of laboratory analysis shows that cadmium risk is significant in all fish species, while risk of lead is significant in Barbus occidentalis, Tilapia oreos, Ethmalosa fimbritus and Clupea harengus. Values of water samples compared with NESREA guideline showed that all water samples were above NESREA minimum acceptable standard. Geoaccumulation Index for sediments revealed that mercury (45.2 and 44.5), cadmium (2.3 and 1.6) and lead (4.47 and 3.74) are at higher
contamination in sediments. The study concludes that heavy metals in fish occur at concentrations that poses risk to human health, while in terms of awareness, depth of knowledge about risk associated with heavy metals is still limited. The study recommends among others, the need for enlightenment campaigns, periodic workshops and discussion forums, as well as establishment of task force for monitoring of river ecosystem.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
ASSESSMENT,, HEAVY METALS CONTENT,, LOCAL,, IMPORTED FISH,, JEMA’A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,, KADUNA STATE,, NIGERIA