Abstract
Problem statement: Al-Khadoud Spring is one of the largest spring in A l-Hassa governorate (Saudi Arabia). Due to the extended domestic activities and urbanization as well as the continuous industrial and agricultural growth of th e region, spring water quality is potentially changing. Approach: This study was conducted to measure toxic heavy metal concentrations in water and fish samples along the spring channel. Filtered spring water and tissues (liver and muscle) of captured fish were analyzed for heavy metals in an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer equipped with a Varian Model. Results: The concentrations of metals in water were found i n the following order: Fe 2+ >Zn 2+ >Cu 2+ >Pb 2+ >Mn 2+ >Cd 2+ . The levels of heavy metals recorded in water in t his study were generally low, when compared to WHO and USEPA recommended levels in water, except iron which was found to be higher than the recommended levels. In fish samples collected from the polluted spring, metal levels were significantly hi gher than the levels in water, indicating bioaccumulation. The highest levels of metals were generally reported in fish liver than muscle. Hepatic metal levels were ranked as follow: Zn 2+ >Cu 2+ >Pb 2+ >Cd 2+ . Conclusion: The present results showed that, the fishes, based on the higher levels of metal bioaccumulation, could be unsafe for human consumption. Consequently, very close monitoring of heavy metal loads in Al-Khadoud spring is recommended in view of the possible risks to hea lth of consumers.
Highlights
Chemicals derived from agricultural operations and industrial effluents, such as metals, find their way into a variety of different water bodies and can produce a range of toxic effects in aquatic organisms, ranging from alterations to a single cell, up to changes in whole populations[1]
According to Heath[5], fish can fish samples after defrosting were dissected; liver and regulate metal concentration to a certain limit after which muscle were taken with the help of a stainless steal bioaccumulation occurs
The levels of heavy metals recorded in water in this study were generally low, when compared to WHO[15] and USEPA[16] recommended levels in water, except iron which was found to be higher than the recommended levels
Summary
Chemicals derived from agricultural operations (pesticides and herbicides) and industrial effluents, such as metals, find their way into a variety of different water bodies and can produce a range of toxic effects in aquatic organisms, ranging from alterations to a single cell, up to changes in whole populations[1]. The accumulation of toxic metals to hazardous levels in aquatic biota has become a problem of increasing concern. Pollution enters fish through five main routes: Via food or non-food particles, gills, oral consumption of water and the skin. The pollutant is carried in blood stream to either a storage point or to the liver for transformation and/or storage. Pollutants transformed in the liver may be stored there or excreted in bile or transported to other excretory organs such as gills or kidneys for elimination or stored in fat, which is an extra hepatic tissue[5,6]. The concentration of any pollutant in any given tissue depends on its rate of absorption and the dynamic processes associated with its elimination by the fish
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
