Determination of Minerals and Heavy Metals in Water, Sediments and Three Fish Species (Tilapia nilotica, Silurus glanis and Arius parkii) from Lagdo Lake, Cameroun

This study was carried out to investigate the impact of pollution of water and sediments on fish mineral and heavy metal load in Lagdo lake, Cameroon. Samples of water, sediments and 3 fish species were analyzed quantitatively for the presence of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS 50B, Australia). Results showed that major elements (K, Mg, Na) were detected in concentrations between 0.02±0.00 and 0.19±0.01 mg mL-1 in water between 0.15±0.01 and 10.95±0.08 mg g-1 in sediments and between 0.25±0.01 and 5.35±0.12 mg g-1 in different fish organs. For heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Cd and Pb), variable amounts were determined and were 0.68±0.07 to 4.96±1.23 μg mL-1 in water, 0.12±0.01 to 21.35±1.42 μg g-1 in sediments and 0.22±0.01 to 18.50±0.20 μg g-1 in fish organs. The sediment contained higher concentrations of minerals and heavy metals than water. The 3 fish species accumulated mineral and heavy metals with all elements most concentrated in the heads.