ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) SOURCE FROM PLASTIC TANK AND KAFIN CHIRI DAM

Heavy metals are of increasing environmental concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study assessed the concentrations of selected heavy metals in the tissues of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) obtained fromPlastic tank and Kafin chiri dam wudil, Nigeria. Fish samples were collected from both sites, dissected, and the muscles and liver tissues were analyzed for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) after acid digestion. The results revealed varying concentrations of heavy metals across tissues and sampling sites, with liver tissues generally showing higher levels than muscles, indicating possible bioaccumulation and organ-specific retention. Among the detected metals, lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were the most prevalent, with concentrations in some cases exceeding recommended safety limits for human consumption. The findings suggest that River Wudil is more impacted by anthropogenic activities compared to Hauren Wanki, contributing to elevated levels of heavy metals in resident fish species. These results underscore the ecological and public health risks associated with consumption of contaminated fish and highlight the urgent need for monitoring programs, pollution control measures, and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations to safeguard aquatic biodiversity and human health.