Assessment of Water Quality and Targeted Accumulation of Some Heavy Metals in Different Organs of Fresh Water Fish Ompok bimaculatus in Riverine System of Punjab, Pakistan

Heavy metals are metals that have high-density and are non-biodegradable. Among all pollutants, heavy metal pollution is the most serious. Ompok bimaculatus is a freshwater fish that belongs to cat family. Objective: To estimate concentration of six heavy metals (Copper, Ferric, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel and Lead) in water, sediments and some organs (gills, fins and muscles) of fish collected from river Ravi. Methods: The accumulation level was recorded through atomic absorption spectrophotometer whereas, physiochemical parameters were also studied through testing water quality. Results: The heavy metal analysis indicated that the level of Fe was maximum in water and sediments followed by Ni and Pb. Other metals, Cu and Cr were also above permissible standards for drinking water. Further metal concentration was lower in bank water of river than in the main stream. The gills have higher metal accumulation level which is most likely due to direct contact with water followed by fins and muscles. The pattern of accumulation was Cadmium < Chromium < Nickel < Cupper < Lead < Ferric in fish organs. Higher concentrations of ALP and ASP than reference value which showed that the metal pollutants had started damaging the fish organs. Conclusions: In conclusion, the accumulation of all studied metals was higher in water and sediments than WHO permission standards. Same was true in the case of studied fish organs. Further, metals also fluctuate the hematological parameters of O. bimaculatus.