Evaluation of metal contents in female Oreochromis niloticus with emphasis on potential risk of consumption and relation to some biological aspects

The Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) levels were studied to estimate the risk of human consumption and pollution of Indus River which is important for the country. The fish samples were collected from different locations in the river Indus near Ghazi Ghat area, Pakistan and were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The values obtained for the five metals were in accordance with the threshold limit concentrations for fish meat imposed by European and other international normative. Cadmium was not detected in any of the sample. Regressions were performed for both size and condition factor with metal concentrations. Mg and Zn were found highly correlated with size (length and weight). Mn was found significant and Cu was the least significant with total length while these were insignificant with increasing weight. Condition factor showed significant (P < 0.05) relation with Mn concentration only.