Abstract
Damietta Nile Branch is a continues resource for drinking water and aquatic life in Delta Governorates; however it’s subjected to severe pollutants of domestic, sewage and agricultural pollutants. The present study was conducted to evaluate seasonal accumulation of some heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) in water, sediment and edible organs of the cichlid fish, Oreochromis niloticus, inhabiting El-BagouriaCanal during the period from summer 2013to spring, 2014. on the bases of qualitative and quantitative analysis, total protein, total lipids, total carbohydrates, ASAT and ALAT activity in the target organs (liver, kidney, muscle and gonads) of this fish were determined. Results revealed that, concentrations of heavy metals in sediment were remarkably higher than in the surface water. It was followed the order: Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu in the former and Fe>Mn>Cu>Zn in the latter. In the target organs, however, it was in the rank of Fe>Zn>Cu>Mn. Biochemical analysis indicated remarkable changes in the metabolic pathways and enzymatic activities. ANOVA (p> 0.05) showed highly significant differences between the different organs, seasons and metals. Also, there was a highly significant difference between biochemical parameters and a slight significant difference between the different seasons and organs. Constant monitoring of the water quality in the study area is needed to record any alteration in the water characteristics and reducing the impacts on the aquatic ecosystem.
Highlights
Damietta Nile Branch receives a large amount of untreated effluents from agricultural domestic and partially treated industrial wastewater
The present study aims to estimate seasonal variations of the concentrations of some heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) in El-Bagouria Canal water, sediment and the target organs of Oreochromis niloticus inhabiting the same canal to evaluate the effect of these metals on the metabolic contents in the liver, kidney, muscles and gonads, as well as the enzyme activity of ASAT and ALAT in the same organs of this fish
Seasonal accumulation of heavy metals in water, sediment and target organs o the cichlid fish, O. niloticus collected from El-Bagouria Canal during the period from summer, 2013 to spring, 2014are shown in Tables (1&2)
Summary
Damietta Nile Branch receives a large amount of untreated effluents from agricultural domestic and partially treated industrial wastewater. Contamination of water is a serious environmental problem as it adversely affects the human health and the biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystem (Sabae & Rabeh, 2007). There are several categories of infectious agents, plant nutrients, water pollutants, which include domestic chemicals such as insecticides, herbicides sewage and oxygen demanding wastes, & detergents, and heavy metals. Metals can be incorporated into food chains and concentrated in aquatic organisms to levels that affect their physiological state. The most effective pollutants are heavy metals, which have drastic environmental impact on all organisms. Trace metals such as Zn, Cu and Fe play a biochemical role in the life processes of all aquatic plants and animals; they are essential in the aquatic environment. In the Egyptian irrigation system, the main source of Cu and Pb are industrial wastes as well as algaecides (for Cu), while that of Cd is the phosphatic fertilizers used in crop farms (Mason, 2002)
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