Pollution Status and Health Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water, Sediment and Fish from Ezu-River, Anaku, Anambra State, Nigeria

The distribution of the sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was studied in surface water, sediment and three fish species (African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Trout fish (Mormyrus rume) and Hetrobranchus longefilis) from Ezu-river, Anaku, Anambra State, Nigeria. The samples were analysed for PAHs by means of Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results of PAHs showed that, in surface water, the highest concentration was related to benzo(a)pyrene whereas benzo(k)fluoranthene was the most important pollutant in sediment. For the fish samples, Hetrobranchus longefilis recorded the highest concentration in Naphthalene while Anthracene was the most dominant pollutants in Mormyrus rume and in Clarias gariepinus benz(b) fluoranthene was the highest pollutants. The Health and exposure risk assessment was conducted for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic exposure in adults and children which shows that the cumulative cancer risk and hazard index were within USEPA regulatory standard. Calculated Hazard Index for fish and water samples were less than one and thus be recommended for consumption.

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Fish from River Tano in Ghana and the Health Risks Posed to Consumers

Appreciable levels of trace metals have been reported in the Tano basin, but data on the corresponding levels in fish and the risk they pose to consumers are limited. The levels of 7 trace metals in 18 fish muscles were assessed between November 2016 and October 2017 using acid digestion and PerkinElmer (PinAACle 900T) Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Apart from Cu, all the metals studied were detected in all fish samples. The levels of Cr, As, and Hg were higher than the acceptable levels of fish muscles. Cr concentration ranged from 16.10 ± 0.2 mg/kg in Clarias gariepinus to 57.9 ± 4.2 mg/kg in Sarotherodon galilaeus. The levels of As ranged from 1.01 ± 0.08 in Clarias gariepinus to 3.00 ± 0.01 mg/kg in Mormyrus rume. Hg level was 0.58 ± 0.69 mg/kg in Oreochromis niloticus and 2.52 ± 0.70 mg/kg in Ctenopoma kingsleyae. However, Pb, Zn, and Cd concentrations were below the Food and Agriculture Organization limits with low target hazard quotients in all fish samples, suggesting no possible noncarcinogenic risks to adult consumers. Possible noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were recorded for As, Hg, and Cr in all fish species. Strong associations were observed between Hg, As, Zn, and Cr and between Pb and Cd suggesting a possible common source. Mormyrus rume fish species was under stress in the river, but the remaining species were in good condition. Periodic monitoring of trace metal concentrations in fish and enforcement of the buffer zone policy are recommended.

Diversity of Bacteria and Fungi Associated with Freshwater Fishes from Mijawal River, Nasarawa, Nigeria

Understudying the presence of bacteria and fungi population on freshwater fishes, provides the knowledge and understanding of their diversity and potential roles they may play in the health of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The present study was conducted to evaluate the diversity of bacteria and fungi species of identified fish samples from River Mijawal, Nasarawa State. The fishes were sampled from the only landing for three months (October to December, 2019) for this study. During the sampling periods, thirteen (13) different fish species were identified; they were swabbed with sterilized swab stick from the skin surface for bacteria and fungi identification. The Dominant fish species were Tilapia zillii, Labeo senegalensis, Mormyrus rume and Mormyrus tapines. The total number of thirteen (13) bacterial and five (5) fungi species were isolated and identified. Eight (8) of the bacteria isolates, were gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas sp, Aeromonas sp, Serratia mercescenes, Proteus sp, Salmonella spp, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp, and Enterobacter sp.); whilst the other five (5) were gram positive bacteria (Bacillus sp, Micrococcus sp, Staphylococcus sp, Enterococcus sp and Listeria monocytogenes).The five isolated fungi species were Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus sp, Penicillium sp, Trichoderma viridae and Geotrichum candidum. The frequency of occurrence of the isolated bacteria indicated that Staphylococcus sp had the highest frequency of occurrence (16.67%) while Serratia mercescens had the least occurrence (2.78%). The highest number of occurrence of the isolated fungi species was observed in Rhizopus sp while the least was recorded in Geotricum candidum. It was observed that Tilapia zillii and Mormyrus rume had the most frequent bacteria and fungi isolates. It can therefore be deduced from the results that fish samples identified from River Mijawal has high bacteria and fungi diversity that may be pathogenic to man. The occurrence of these microbes may be attributed of human and animal faeces in the River Keywords: Freshwater fishes, Microbes, River Mijawal, Nasarawa

Population dynamics of Mormyrus rume (Valenciennes, 1847; Osteoglossiformes; Mormyridae) Of Ikere-Gorge, Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria

The structure of a fish population is determined by the equilibrium between growth, recruitment and total mortality. But, there is paucity of information on the growth and mortality of Mormyrus rume in Nigeria. Therefore this study is needful to determine its population parameters, with a view of evolving management strategies for its sustainable exploitation. Estimates of population parameters of Mormyrus rume were obtained from length-frequency data of 836 individuals collected monthly for a period of 24 months from January 2017 to December 2018. The estimated growth parameters were: asymptotic length (L∞) was 100.8cm; growth coefficient (K) was 0.62/year; growth performance (Ɵ) was 3.8; length at maturity (Lm) was 52.57cm; reproductive load (Lm/L∞) was 0.52 and optimum length (Lopt) was 65.10cm. Likewise, natural, fishing and total mortalities were 0.93, 1.46 and 2.39 respectively. The values of exploitation rate (0.61) and ratio of total mortality and growth coefficient (3.85) showed that Mormyrus rume is most exploited in Ikere-gorge. Therefore, appropriate fishing regulations should be enforced to regulate fishing gears and mesh size that will fish Mormyrus rume at sustainable level. Keywords: Recruitment, mortality, growth, exploitation, length

Effects of Drying Methods on the Biochemical Composition and Organoleptic Properties of Two Freshwater Fish Species (Mormyrus rume and Labeo coubie) of Cross River Obubra, Nigeria

Consumers all over the world are increasingly becoming aware of the health and nutrition status of fish and fishery products. There have develop some preference for fish species and even their processing methods. This study aims to investigate the effects of two drying methods (smoking and oven drying) on the biochemical components and organoleptic properties of two less preferred food fishes abundant in the study area. The fish samples Mormyrus rume and Labeo coubie were purchased from fresh landings of fishermen at Ahaha beach. The biochemical assay of the moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were conducted in the labouratory using standard methods. The proximate composition of raw M. rume was determined as moisture 70.38%, protein 17.43%, carbohydrate 1.13%, fat 5.93% and ash 2.77% while oven dried were 18.78, 63.85, 3.37, 8.73 and 7.58% respectively. All the proximate parameters and gross energy level investigated were higher (p < 0.05) in M. rume except the moisture content of dried samples of L. coubie. The mineral content were in the order Ca < Mg < Fe < Na < P and < K in both species and were higher in M. rume except Na. The drying methods showed increase in the proximate and mineral compositions in the order raw < smoking and < oven drying except moisture content that decreased respectively is both species. Organoleptic properties revealed that dried samples (smoked and oven) were not significantly different (p < 0.05) in taste, flavour, texture and overall acceptance, however while oven dried had better colour (4.33), smoked dried taste (4.63) better. The drying methods shows concentration of the required nutrients in human diets and were also found to be most palatable by the panellist. To improve fish nutrient quality smoke and oven drying should be encourage.