COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SOME HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS (COPPER, CADMIUM, AND LEAD) IN THE LIVER AND KIDNEY OF CATFISH AND SILVER FISH FROM GASHUA, YOBE STATE

Abstract

A comparative study of some heavy metal concentrations (Copper, Cadmium, and Lead) in the liver and kidney of Catfish and Silver fish from Gashua, Yobe State was carried out. The results revealed high concentrations of these metals in the liver of both fish, with values of 1.20 mg/kg, 1.85 mg/kg, and 0.29 mg/kg for Catfish, and 3.07 mg/kg, 0.88 mg/kg, and 2.37 mg/kg for Silver fish, corresponding to Copper, Cadmium, and Lead, respectively. The concentrations recorded in the kidney were lower, with values of 0.01 mg/kg, 0.33 mg/kg, and 0.02 mg/kg for Catfish, and 0.02 mg/kg, 0.78 mg/kg, and 2.11 mg/kg for Silver fish. Based on the findings of this research, there is a clear indication that the liver of both fish species contains higher concentrations of heavy metals compared to the kidney. However, significant concentrations of heavy metals were also recorded in the kidneys, with some values exceeding the maximum permissible limits set by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO). Therefore, both the liver and kidney of Catfish and Silver fish from Gashua, Yobe State, are not safe for human consumption, and there is a need for continuous monitoring to protect the local population from diseases associated with heavy metal accumulation.