World Applied Sciences Journal 34 (2): 268-272, 2016 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2016 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2016.34.2.15657 Corresponding Author: J.O. Oti Wilberforce, Department of Industrial Chemistry, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B. 053, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. 268 Comparative Assay of Heavy Metals in Gills and Muscles of Common Fishes in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria J.O. Oti Wilberforce, F. Nworie and R.O. Oti-wilberforce 1 1 2 Department of Industrial Chemistry Ebonyi State University, 1 P.M.B. 053, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria Department of Medical Laboratory Science Ebonyi State University, 2 P.M.B.053, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria Abstract: Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) was used to determine the concentrations of Iron, chromium, lead, copper, zinc, cadmium and nickel in fish samples from Ndiibe beach, Afikpo. The gills and muscles of Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Syndontis membrabeceus, Alestes baramose, Chrysichytys nigrodigitatus, Clariias ganepinus and Heterotis niloticus were samples and assayed in June 2014. The results obtained revealed that heavy metals in the investigated fishes ranged from 42.22±0.3 ppm - 126.33±0.4 ppm for Fe; 2.11±0.2 ppm - 9.18±0.8 ppm for Cr; 0.02±0.1 ppm - 0.84±0.2 ppm for Pb; 11.11±0.1 ppm - 31.12±0.1 ppm for Cu; 10.12±0.3 ppm - 72.12±0.4 ppm for Zn; 1.16±0.2 ppm - 3.46±0.3 ppm for Cd and 0.21±0.1 ppm - 6.62±0.4 ppm for Ni. Cadmium and nickel were not detected in Clariias ganepinus and Heterotis niloticus respectively. The concentrations of the heavy metals were significantly higher in gills than in the muscles of all investigated fishes (except Cd in Heterobranchus bidorsalis). Comparing the results with Maximum Permissible Limits of FAO/WHO, it was observed that in all the fishes, the levels of Cr, Cd and Ni (except Ni in Clariias ganepinus) exceeded the legal limits while Cu levels were lower than the Maximum Permissible Limits. Levels of Pb and Fe in Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Alestes baramose also exceeded the Maximum Permissible Limits. The variation in the levels of heavy metals were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) as determined by one way analysis of variance. The implications of these high accumulations of metals in the affected fishes were studied with respect to its adverse effect to the health of man who is a member of the food chain. Hence regular monitoring of heavy metal in fishes is expedient for safety of human health. Key words: PIXE Fish species Gills Muscles Metals Ndiibe beach Afikpo INTRODUCTION especially by the children in the villages. The major There is a rapid diversion from consumption of meat weathering or through man’s anthropogenic activities [3]. to fish and as a result, the rate of fish consumption in Water bodies such as streams, rivers, lagoons and ponds Nigeria has increased astronomically. The nation’s generally carry large quantity of contaminants especially consumption as at 2013 has risen to 2-6 million tonnes heavy metals which come from discharge of agricultural, with a per capita consumption of 13.5kg [1]. The reason industrial and domestic wastes and other anthropogenic behind this shift from meat to fish is due to extra activities. Unlike many organic contaminants which lose nutritional values of fish as high protein supplement toxicity with time as a result of biodegradation, metals are especially for heart friendly omega-3 fatty acid in fish non-biodegradable and their toxic effect can be long which is known to reduce high incidence of heart attack lasting. In addition, metals in living tissue can undergo [2]. In Nigeria especially the riverine and coastal areas, bio-magnification from one trophic level to another. the natives depend on fishes as their major staple food. Previous works by [4]; [5] and [6], recorded high In addition, gills of the fishes are still widely consumed concentration of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, Ni, source of these metals is by natural process of