Abstract
This study assessed the concentrations of cadmium in the gills, livers and muscles of a commercially important tilapia fish (Sarotherodon melanotheron) from Aby Lagoon in Adiaké, Côte d’Ivoire, between January and December, 2010. The organisms were grouped into two composite samples (juvenile and adult) of five individuals. Levels of cadmium were determined in tissues using Perkin-Elmer (AAnalyst 200) Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) after a digestion method. Fish muscle appeared to have a significantly higher tendency to accumulate cadmium (1.19–5.18 µg/g dw) while gills and livers had minimum concentrations (0.07–1.32 and 0.12–1.25 µg/g dw). This study has revealed that the concentrations of Cd in Sarotherodon melanotheron muscle tissue were above the maximum acceptable concentrations for human consumption, thus precautions need to be taken in order to prevent future contamination.
Highlights
Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment is the result of industrial wastes, geochemical structure and mining activities
There is no significant difference between the three seasons
The results showed that the cadmium accumulation of muscle tissues in dry
Summary
Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment is the result of industrial wastes, geochemical structure and mining activities. Heavy metals may accumulate to a toxic concentration [1], and cause ecological damage [2]. Pollution enters fish through five main routes: via food or non-food particles, gills, oral consumption of water and the skin. Heavy metals are present in the aquatic environment where they bioaccumulate along the food chain. For this reason, determination of chemical quality of aquatic organisms, the contents of heavy metals is extremely important for human health. The problem of food (including fish) contamination by toxic metals is receiving global attention
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