TRACE METALS IN FISH, CRAB AND WATER FROM OGBESE AND OSE RIVER

ABSTRACT This study assessed the concentration and distribution of trace metals including Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), and Iron (Fe) in water, fish, shrimps and crab samples from the Ogbese and Ose Rivers in Ondo State, Nigeria. Analysis via Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) revealed that water samples were contaminated with Pb (0.08 mg/L) and Cd (0.01 mg/L), exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits. In aquatic organisms, significant bioaccumulation was observed, with crabs acting as major accumulators, showing particularly high concentrations of Pb (12.5 mg/kg) and Cd (4.2 mg/kg) in their tissues, levels which pose a considerable human health risk. Fish also accumulated metals, with gill tissues consistently showing higher concentrations than edible muscle tissues. The findings demonstrate a clear trend of metal pollution in these rivers, with seasonal variations further influencing concentration levels. This contamination presents a substantial ecological threat and poses serious health risks to local populations who rely on these rivers for food and livelihood, underscoring the urgent need for sustained environmental monitoring and public health intervention strategies.