Evaluation of Concentration of some Heavy Metals in Water, Soil, and Fish from Ponds in Lugbe, Idu and Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria.

Abstract

Concentration of some heavy metals cadmium(Cd) iron(Fe) copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn)) in water, soil and their accumulation in the edible tissue of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), were determined in samples collected from Lugbe, Idu and Kuje in the Federal capital City, Abuja, Nigeria using flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Some physico-chemical parameters of the water samples were determined to assess the suitability for fish production. The results for heavy metals contamination revealed the concentrations in the fish samples at the different locations are in the order: Lubge Ni>Zn>Fe>Cu>Pb>Cd; Idu Cu>Fe>Zn>Pb>Ni>Cd and Kuje Fe>Zn>Pb>Ni>Cu>Cu. The samples from the all the ponds showed significant variation (at p<0.01) with strong correlations in the levels of concentration of the heavy metals across the samples as a result of the human activities around the ponds. The concentrations of all the metals analyzed in fish samples in this study were below the recommended limit of FAO/WHO for human consumption; however there is need for regular monitoring of the heavy metal load in these ponds to guard against long term effects of its presence in the water which may influence the uptake by fish and humans after consumption.