M., A., H., G., M., E. (2013). Studies on some heavy metals in the River Nile water and fish at Helwan area, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 17(2), 105-126. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2013.2171
Abdelhamid M.; Gomaa H.; El-Sayed M.. "Studies on some heavy metals in the River Nile water and fish at Helwan area, Egypt". Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 17, 2, 2013, 105-126. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2013.2171
M., A., H., G., M., E. (2013). 'Studies on some heavy metals in the River Nile water and fish at Helwan area, Egypt', Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 17(2), pp. 105-126. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2013.2171
M., A., H., G., M., E. Studies on some heavy metals in the River Nile water and fish at Helwan area, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2013; 17(2): 105-126. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2013.2171
Studies on some heavy metals in the River Nile water and fish at Helwan area, Egypt
1Dept. of Anim. Prod., Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ., Mansoura, Egypt
2Regional Center for Food and Feed, Agric. Res. Cen., Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
A survy study was carried out in the River Nile at Helwan area to evaluate water parameters and fish quality from three locations during four seasons. Values of water criteria in the tested area were suitable for rearing Nile tilapia fish. All variables (sampling location and season) and their interaction, significantly (P≤0.05) affected the heavy metal levels in the River Nile water. Water Zn level ranged between 0.021 and 0.056, Cu 0.002-0.049, Pb 0.117-0.176, Cd 0.000-0.000, and Fe 0.038-1.432. Zn, Cu, and Pb were significantly (P≤0.05) higher at location No. 2 than the other locations, whereas Fe was significantly (P≤0.05) higher at location No. 1. This may be attributed to the pollution source, Torah Cement Factory at location No. 1 and Starch and Glucose Factory at location No. 2. Summer season reflected the highest (P≤0.05) levels of Zn, Pb, and Fe, whereas Cu level was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in spring. Generally, Cd was absent at all locations and seasons of water sampling. There were no significant (P≥0.05) differences in chemical composition of Nile tilapia fish due to sampling locations; yet, there were significant (P≤0.05) differences in CP, EE, and ash contents due to sampling seasons. In fish muscles, the levels of Pb, Cd, and F were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by sampling locations, whereas Zn, Cd, Fe, and F significantly (P≤0.05) affected by sampling seasons. In the whole fish body, the levels of Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe, and F were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by sampling locations and seasons. Fish muscles bioacumulated higher Pb than Cu, Fe, and Zn, respectively. The Fe accumulation was highest in the whole fish body followed by Zn, Cu and Pb, respectively. It was clear that each of Zn, Cu, and Fe were more bioaccumulated in the whole fish body than in the fish muscles. This may depend on the target organ for each element where it deposits. There were significantly positive correlations between Pb/Cu and Pb/Cd in fish muscles, whole fish Zn/muscular Fe, Cd/Cu, Cu/Fe as well as Cd/Pb in whole fish, whole fish Fe/muscular Fe, water Zn/muscular Cd, water Cu/muscular Cu, Cu/Zn in water, water Fe/muscular Fe, water Fe/whole fish Cu, water Fe/whole fish Fe, and Fe/Pb in water. Also, there were significantly negative correlations between water Cu/whole fish Pb and water Fe/muscular Cu. So, residues of some heavy metals in fish are affected by the presence of some industries nearby the River Nile that may negatively affect human health of the fish consumer from such contaminated water. Therefore, it is a must to manage such factories to be environmentally consonant by treating its wastes before exposure to the environment.