Assessing HumanHealth Risk ofMetalAccumulations in a wild carp fish from Selected Sites of a RiverLoaded withMunicipal and IndustrialWastes

Abstract

This 4x2 factorial study compared the effect of four sites (A=Siphon as upstream, and<br />B=Shahdera, C=Sunder and D= Balloki as 3 downstream sites) during low and high flow seasons of river Ravi<br />on metal cconcentrations in muscles from Cirrhinus (C) mrigala, a bottom feeder carp. While weight and<br />length of studied specimens did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Overall metal accumulations appeared in the<br />order of calcium (Ca) > sodium (Na) > potassium (K) > magnesium (Mg) > zinc (Zn) > iron (Fe) > manganese<br />(Mn) > copper (Cu) > chromium (Cr) > lead (Pb) > nickel (Ni) > cadmium (Cd). The sampling sites were<br />significantly different (P<0.001) for all the metals except Mg. The metal accumulation pattern for sites was C<br />> B > D > A, except Mg, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn and Fe. The macro metal contents, except K and trace metals except<br />Cd were significantly higher during low flow than the high flow season. The bioaccumulation of Cd, Cr and Mn<br />were greater than those permissible for human consumption by the WHO standards. The most alarming<br />results contradict the views of local fish consumers that riverine fish are more healthy and valuable than the<br />pond fish. This fish species inhabiting the downstream sites was more polluted and may be a source of risk to<br />consumer health. Regular monitoring is obligatory to evaluate eco-health of the river Ravi by choosing perhaps<br />C. mrigala as a bio-indicator which might provide reliable measurements to frequently assess environmental<br />quality of rivers.