Bioaccumulation of metals in fishes: an in vivo experimental study of a sewage fed ecosystem

The bioaccumulation of copper, lead, zinc and chromium in the liver, intestine, ovary, muscles and brain in four fishes, Channa punctatus, Tilapia mossambica, Catla catla and Labeo rohita, in a sewage-fed jheel ecosystem was analysed. All the heavy metals have been found to accumulate in the four fishes when they are reliant on a sewage-fed ecosystem, in contrast to their freshwater control fish population. The relative accumulation rate of the heavy metals has been found in the order liver brain intestine muscle ovary bone. Of course, the accumulation rate varies from one metal to another in the different fishes. The effect of the bioaccumulation in the specific tissues provides a better basis for regular monitoring of exposure than whole body analyses.