Distribution of metals in water, sediment and fish tissue. Consequences for human health risks due to fish consumption in Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Water pollution may be a serious environmental problem for Lake Hawassa, an important fishing and recreational site as well as a drinking-water source in Ethiopia. The present study aims at determining the distribution of metals and metalloids in the lake's water, sediment and fish tissues and assessing the resulting human health and ecological risks. Metals were detected in both abiotic and biotic samples. In water, only the Hg concentration was significantly different among sampling sites. The average concentration of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in water were below the environmental quality thresholds, thus not having potentially adverse effect on aquatic life. In sediment, significant differences in metals concentration among sites were found for As, Cd, Pb, Co, Zn and Hg (p < 0.05). Exceedances of As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni and Zn were found in sediment, with Cr, Ni and Zn above the probable effect concentration and being potentially toxic to aquatic life. Fish stored more metals in their liver than in their muscle. The concentration of metals in carnivorous fish (Barbus intermedius) was not higher in muscle and liver than those in herbivores fish (Oreochromis niloticus). The Bioaccumulation Factor of Cr in all fish species muscle was >1. The Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factor of all metals in all fish species muscle were <1. Positive correlations among metals in water and correlations among metals in sediment were found, indicating a potential common pollution source. Positive correlation of total organic carbon with Cd, Co and Se and clay content with Pb, As and Hg was found and may imply that metals are easily adsorbed by the organic matter and fine sediment. With respect to the measured metals no potential health risk due to consumption of fish from Lake Hawassa was observed.