Pollution Problem in River Kabul: Accumulation Estimates of Heavy Metals in Native Fish Species.
The contamination of aquatic systems with heavy metals is affecting the fish population and hence results in a decline of productivity rate. River Kabul is a transcountry river originating at Paghman province in Afghanistan and inters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan and it is the major source of irrigation and more than 54 fish species have been reported in the river. Present study aimed at the estimation of heavy metals load in the fish living in River Kabul. Heavy metals including chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead were determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometer after tissue digestion by adopting standard procedures. Concentrations of these metals were recorded in muscles and liver of five native fish species, namely, Wallago attu, Aorichthys seenghala, Cyprinus carpio, Labeo dyocheilus, and Ompok bimaculatus. The concentrations of chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, and lead were higher in both of the tissues, whereas the concentration of cadmium was comparatively low. However, the concentration of metals was exceeding the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance of USA) limits. Hence, continuous fish consumption may create health problems for the consumers. The results of the present study are alarming and suggest implementing environmental laws and initiation of a biomonitoring program of the river.
Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Pakistan.
Habib
H
Ahmad
Department of Zoology, Islamia College, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan.
Ali Muhammad
AM
Yousafzai
Department of Zoology, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Pakistan.
Muhammad
M
Siraj
Department of Chemistry, Malakand University, Chakdara 18800, Pakistan.
Rashid
R
Ahmad
Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Pakistan.
Israr
I
Ahmad
Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Pakistan.
Muhammad Shahid
MS
Nadeem
Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Pakistan.
Waqar
W
Ahmad
Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Pakistan.
Nazia
N
Akbar
Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Pakistan.
Khushi
K
Muhammad
D000346:Afghanistan; D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D002347:Carps; D002857:Chromium / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D003300:Copper / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects*; D010154:Pakistan; D045483:Rivers; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical; D015032:Zinc / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002104:Cadmium; D002857:Chromium; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc