Trace Metal Contamination in Two Fish Species from Epe Lagoon (South-West Nigeria): Health Risk Assessment

Abstract This study investigates trace metal concentrations in water, sediment, and fish from the Epe Lagoon, Nigeria. Sediments showed the highest levels, with iron being the most abundant, followed by zinc, manganese, copper, nickel, chromium, and lead. Significant differences in zinc accumulation factors were observed between Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia mariae . Biosediment accumulation factors (BSAF) for all metals were below one, with copper and iron showing the highest bioaccumulation in both fish species. The estimated daily intake of metals was below reference doses, with the highest target hazard quotient (THQ) for iron and the lowest for chromium, showing no significant differences between species.