Raheela Sharmeen, M Zaheer Khan, Ghazala Yasmeen and Syed Ali Ghalib
Keywords: Malir River, heavy metals, bioaccumulation, Oreochromis mossambicus
Abstract: Heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb) concentrations were determined in surface and deep water samples along with their accumulation in tissues of the fish Oreochromis mossambicus from Malir River. Water and fish samples were collected from four locations (Murad Memon Goth, Malir City, Shah Faisal Colony and Qayumabad) of Malir River. Heavy metals concentrations in water and the fish were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Heavy metal concentration in surface and deep water samples were found in order Cr>Cu>Pb>Cd and in the fish these were in the order Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd. In fish, Cd and Pb concentrations were found higher in gill samples while Cr and Cu concentrations were higher in liver samples, whereas gonads appeared to be the least preferred site for the bioaccumulation of metals. The concentrations of water samples were found to be above the values recommended by FAO/WHO (1993), NEQS (1993) and JECFA (2000) and in fish samples the concentrations of Cr, Cu and Pb were found to be higher than those recommended by WHO (1985), FEPA (2003) and FAO (1983) in fish food.
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