Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water and Fish Labeo Rohita of River Godavari, at Nathsagar Dam in Aurangabad District, Maharashtra

The present study was conducted to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn) in sample water and organs (muscle, gills and liver) of fish Labeo rohita of Godavari River, at Nathsagar Dam in Maharashtra. There was an appreciable decrease in metal concentrations in sample water from site I to site II. The heavy metal concentrations in sample water were in the order Ni>Pb>Zn>Cr>Cd. Accumulation of heavy metals in the organs of fish Labeo rohita was found in the order gills>muscle>liver. In the gills, lead was found maximum (2.65 µg/gm dry weight), whereas chromium was minimum (0.71µg/gm dry weight). In the muscles, lead was found maximum (1.98 µg/gm dry weight), whereas zinc was minimum (0.53µg/gm dry weight). In the liver, lead, cadmium and nickel were more concentrated compared to zinc and chromium. The concentration of heavy metals accumulated in gills and liver was found in the order Pb>Cd>Ni>Zn>Cr and in the muscles, it was found in the order Pb>Ni>Cd>Cr>Zn. As the fish Labeo rohita is largely consumed by people, it is essential to make awareness about water pollution and effects of heavy metals on human body. The results of this study supply valuable information on the metal contents in water sample and fish organs of the river Godavari, at Nathsagar Dam. Fish gills and muscles shows highest tendency to accumulate lead, cadmium and nickel, while accumulation of metals is less in liver. It is important to examine the toxic effect of metals on fish since they constitute an important link in food chain and their contamination by metal causes imbalances in the aquatic system. Hence, a scientific method detoxification is essential to improve the life of these economically important fishes in any stressed conditions.

Mohiuddin Shaikh*1 Click here to download file

Short communication | Published online : 26-May-2023