Heavy Metals and Hydrocarbon Level in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Mullet Fish (Liza falcipinus) and Crab (Callinectes amnicola) from Crude Oil Contaminated Jetty Rivers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe and Mn) contamination were determined in Nile tilapia, Mullet fish and Crab collected from crude oil polluted rivers (Abuloma and Woji Jetty). Average individual PAHs concentration ranged from 0.0001mgkg-1 to 11.22±0.02mgkg-1 in Nile tilapia, 0.0001mgkg-1 to 13.43±0.17mgkg-1 in mullet fish and 0.0001mgkg-1 to 12.23±0.06mgkg-1 in crab. Benzo[a]pyrene (a carcinogenic PAH) concentrations detected in fish and seafood in this study exceeded the acceptable limit set by the European Commission (0.002mgkg-1) for fish considered safe for human consumption. The levels of Pb and Cr in fish and seafood were found to have remarkably higher concentrations which exceeded the acceptable levels (FAO/WHO) in food sources for human consumptionand that of Cd, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were lower. Results from this study revealed high levels of PAHs and heavy metals in seafood samples from all study locations. These high PAHs levels in these commonly consumed seafoods from the rivers question their safety for human consumption.