TITLE:
Trace Metal Concentration in Two Matrices in an Urban Subtropical River
AUTHORS:
Nyasha Mabika, Trust Masiya, Beaven Utete, Maxwell Barson, Joshua Tsamba
KEYWORDS:
Metal Assimilation, Bioconcentration Factors, Pollution, Ecosystem Integrity
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.7 No.3,
February
25,
2015
ABSTRACT: This
study investigates the concentration of metals namely aluminium, manganese and
cobalt in two matrices: sediment and fish organs (whole muscle stomach tissue,
gills, liver and kidney) in an urban river, Mukuvisi River, Zimbabwe. River bed
sediments and fish samples were collected simultaneously at five sites over
seven months (September 2008-April 2009). Concentrations of aluminium,
manganese and cobalt in the selected fish organs and sediment were estimated
using the Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS). Water limnochemical
aspects, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature and conductivity were measured concomitantly
at each site. Aluminium had significantly higher mean concentrations and bioconcentration
factors in both sediments and fish tissues relative to cobalt and manganese.
Cobalt and aluminium were detected in all fish tissues, whilst manganese was not
detected in muscle and liver. Significant differences in bioconcentration
factors for the metals in organs of the same fish species analysed in this
study show differences in metal assimilation. Metal specific river
rehabilitation methods need to be applied for the future restoration of the
ecological integrity of Mukuvisi River.