Health risk assessment of heavy metals accumulation and Health status of O. niloticus from two Egyptian lakes

Abstract

Water resources have become world social and economic concerns. Lake Nasser provides more than 95% of the Egyptian freshwater funds. Wadi Al- Rayan lakes are man-made with a vital role in irrigation water and fisheries. The present study was aimed to investigate and compare the effect of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb and Cd) accumulation in muscles, liver and gills on the health status of O. niloticus collected from both lakes and the potential human health hazard of consuming those fish. The results demonstrated that the accumulation of different metals arranged in the following order; Fe˃ Zn˃ Mn ˃Cd˃ Cu> Pb in Nasser Lake, while the order was Fe˃ Zn˃ Mn ˃Cu˃ Pb>Cd in Wadi Al-Rayan Lake. The metal pollution index (MPI) in fish tissues followed the order: liver > gills > muscles. Moreover, the biochemical indices of O. niloticus from both Nasser and Wadi Al-Rayan Lakes showed a significant alteration due to metal pollution. Moreover, the human health hazard index recorded an adverse health effect for habitual fish consumers from Wadi Al-Rayan Lake during both seasons, while the same hazard was recorded in spring for habitual fish consumers from Nasser Lake which yield an alarming concern for fish consumers’ health.