Determination of heavy metals in different tissues of tilapia fish (Oreochromis mossambicus) and water samples of mula dam in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra, India

The present study was aimed at investigating five heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel and Zinc) in the muscles and gills of tilapia fish (Oreochromis mossambicus) and water samples of a major reservoir, Mula dam from Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra. The samples were collected during three different seasons viz. summer, monsoon and winter. The results obtained from collected water sample showed ascending order of heavy metals as Cd<Pb<Cr<Ni<Zn. Maximum amount of heavy metal was Zinc (3.21 mg/L) during monsoon, whereas lead was not detected in the water during summer. The accumulations of heavy metals in the gills of fish were found to be more than muscles. The ascending order of heavy metals detected in the tissues was Cd<Pb<Ni<Cr<Zn. Maximum amount of heavy metal was Zinc (18.27 mg/Kg) found in the gills during monsoon, whereas minimum value was of Cadmium (0.18 mg/Kg) found in the muscles during summer. However, the concentrations of heavy metals in the water and tissues of fish, collected during three seasons were within the permissible levels and are safe for the human consumption and public health.