Levels of Cadmium and Nickel in five fish species sold in Mobil fish market, Minna, Nigeria.

Abstract

Five fish species were collected randomly from mobil fish market, Minna and were analyzed for cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) using absorption spectrophotometer, model (Schimadzu AA650). The samples were digested. The concentration of Cd and Ni were determined in grills, muscles, and liver tissues. The concentration of Ni in the tissues of Oreochromis niloticus was higher than in the other fish species; with its liver tissue having the highest value of 2.1x10-4 ±1.1x10-1 mg/g. Cadmium concentration in Oreochromis niloticus were lower than in other fish species, with the exception of the muscles of Heterotis niloticus with concentration as low as 7.8x10-6±7.1x10-4 mg/g. This result showed that both the highest concentrations of Ni (2.1x10-4 ±1.1x10-1 mg/g) and Cd (3.8x10-5±1.8x10-2 mg/g) are within the World Health Organisation (WHO) acceptable limits of 0.4 mg/g and 0.2 mg/g respectively. The fishes purchased from mobil fish market, Minna are therefore safe for consumption.