Determination of Heavy Metals in Three Fish Species (Tilapia zilli, Clarias anguillaris and Synodontis filamentous) from Upper River Benue Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study determined the heavy metals in three fish species (Tilapia zilli, Clarias anguillaris and Synodontis filamentous) from Upper River Benue Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study was aimed at determining the concentration of some selected heavy metals namely; Zinc, Lead, Cadmium and Copper (Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu) in Clarias anguillaris, Synodontis filamentous and Tilapia zilli from Upper River Benue using standard methods. Sample were blended into fine powder and sieved for digestion. The levels of heavy metals were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results revealed that Zinc has the highest concentration (12.35±1.79 μg/g) in Tilapia zilli, followed byPb (4.06±2.02 μg/g) in Synodontis filamentous, while Copper has the lowest concentration (0.74±0.71 μg/g) in Synodontis filamentous followed by Cd (1.27±0.55 μg/g) from Clarias anguillaris and it follow the same trend in order of decreasing: Zn > Pb > Cd > Cu. There was a significant difference in the concentrations of heavy metals among the fish species (P < 0.05). All the concentrations obtained for these heavy metals analysis was below the permissible limit recommended by international standard organization, hence they are safe for human consumption.