Original Research

Bio-accumulation of selected metals in African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus from the lower Olifants River, Mpumalanga, South Africa

H.H. Du Preez, M. van der Merwe, J.H.J. van Vuren
Koedoe | Vol 40, No 1 | a265 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v40i1.265 | © 1997 National Parks Board
Submitted: 01 August 1997 | Published: 01 August 1997

About the author(s)

H.H. Du Preez, Rand Afrikaans University, South Africa
M. van der Merwe, Rand Afrikaans University, South Africa
J.H.J. van Vuren, Rand Afrikaans University, South Africa

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Abstract

The level of metal (Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) bio- accumulation in tissues (muscle, gill, kidney, liver and gonads) and bile of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus, from the lower Olifants River was investigated. These metals were detected in all the tissues as well as in the bile, with the highest concentration found in either the gills, liver or gonadal tissue. The lowest concentration was usually detected in the muscle tissue. Although statistic comparisons revealed no significant differences between the localities, fish from the Selati River (Locality 1) generally had higher metal levels than fish from the localities along the Olifants River inside the Kruger National Park. The higher levels in the fish from the Selati River may be attributed to anthropogenic activities resulting in point and/or diffuse sources of metal pollution. These sources should be identified and reduced.

Keywords

fish, metals, bio-accumulation, river.

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