Author(s): Ezekiel B, Annune PA and Solomon SG

Abstract: The study was designed to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals in selected fish species and water from Dadin kowa Dam, Gombe State. The liver, gills and muscles of five commercially important fish species (Clarias gariepinus, Oreochromis niloticus, Alestes nurse, Bagrus bayad and Synodontis schall) and water from Difa, Dadin kowa and Gwani sampling stations of the Dam were collected during both dry (November, December, January and February) and wet (June, July, August and September) seasons. Copper, Lead, Chromium, Cobalt, Nickel, Cadmium, Manganese and Magnesium were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Bulk scientific, model 205). The results reveal that Lead was below detectable limits in all the fish species. Meanwhile, the highest concentration of Cr (0.19±0.08mg/kg) and Mg (77.1±0.19mg/kg) were found in the gills of Synodontis schall and that of Co (0.45±0.07mg/kg), Cd (0.05±0.01mg/kg), Ni (0.33±0.03mg/kg) and Mn (2.27±0.24mg/kg) were found in Alestes nurse. There were no significant differences in the concentration of Co, Cd, and Mg among the organs of Oreochromis niloticus. The concentrations of these metals in the water showed that Mg has the highest concentration of 96.060±0.45mg/L while Pb has the least concentration of 0.030±0.01mg/L. the concentrations of Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd and Mn were 0.121±0.02mg/l, 0.948±0.21mg/L, 0.184±0.04mg/L, 0.208±0.05mg/L, 0.110±0.04mg/L and 1.249±0.14mg/L respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in the water were below the maximum permissible limits of SON, NAFDAC and WHO except Ni and Mn. Likewise, the concentrations of these heavy metals in the various fish organs were within the maximum permissible limits set by WHO and FAO.

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