Selected trace metals in fish, sediment and water from freshwater Tarbela Reservoir, Pakistan

Abstract

Selected trace metals and macronutrients in the edible muscle of thirteen freshwater species, harvested from Tarbela Reservoir on the Indus River, Pakistan, along with relevant sediment and water are reported. The fish selected were: Catla catla, Channa marulius, Cirrhanus mrigala, Cyprinus carpio, Labeo calbasu, Labeo rohita, Mastacembelus aramatus, Mystus seenghala, Mystus vitatus, Notoptirus chitala, Rita rita, Tor putitora and Wallago attu. Labeo calbesu showed maximum levels of silver and arsenic at 1.179 and 0.713 μg/g, respectively, where as, Notoptirus chitala showed maximum concentrations of cadmium (1.013 μg/g). Mercury was at 2.870 μg/g in Channa marulius and lead at a concentration of 2.108 μg/g in Mastacembelus aramatus. A reciprocal relationship was observed between the macronutrient content and trace metal concentrations in species like Rita rita and Wallago attu. Sediment showed maximum concentrations of iron and manganese, whereas, arsenic and lead concentrations were observed at higher l...