Author(s): Argungu LA, Jamila H, Magami IM and Yahaya MA

Abstract: Geochemical processes and anthropogenic activities are the measure processes that help in the exposure of aquatic organisms to heavy metals. This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the level of heavy metals in gills and muscles tissue of male and female Hetrobranchus bidorsalis. Samples were collected in two Seasons; rainy and dry seasons from three different landing sites (kwalkwalawa, Hayi and Kagara-Rima) taken as stations and marked as A, B, and C along River Rima in Sokoto State, Nigeria. One gram of gill and muscle tissues from each of the stations was collected for the determination of heavy metals concentration, using AAS method. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis at P<0.05. The highest concentration of Pb in muscle tissue when comparing between the stations was recorded at station C (2.874 ± 0.611), the concentration of Pb in gills tissue of the sample was also recorded at station C (3.101 ± 0.618). Chromium was recorded to be the highest concentration in gills tissue in station A (1.429 ±0.271) and its concentration in muscles tissue was highest in station A (1.210 ± 0.313) While Cd and Cu were observed to have highest concentration in both gills and muscle tissues at station C, when considering the variation of concentration of heavy metals at seasons. Rainy season has the highest concentration. It was observed that there was higher level of heavy metals in males than females. The results for the concentration of heavy metals in gills and muscles tissues were found to be within the permissible limits when compared with the WHO and EPA guidelines.

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