Assessment of heavy metal pollution risks in Yonki Reservoir environmental matrices affected by gold mining activity.
This study reports the heavy metal (Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb) contamination risks to and safety of two species of fresh water fish (tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus and carp, Cyprinus carpio) that are farmed in the Yonki Reservoir in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The upper reaches of the reservoir are affected by alluvial and large-scale gold mining activities. We also assessed heavy metal levels in the surface waters and sediments and in selected aquatic plant species from the reservoir and streams that intersect the gold mining areas. The water quality was acceptable, except for the Cr concentration, which exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for water contamination. The sediments were contaminated with Cd and Cu in most of the sampling stations along the upstream waters and the reservoir. The Cd concentration in the sediments exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency's Sediment Quality Guideline (SQG) values, and the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values indicated heavy to extreme pollution. In addition, the Cd, Cu, and Pb concentrations in aquatic plants exceeded the WHO guidelines for these contaminants. Between the fish species, tilapia accumulated significantly higher (P < 0.05) Cu in their organ tissues than carp, confirming the bioaccumulation of some metals in the aquatic fauna. The edible muscles of the fish specimens had metal concentrations below the maximum permissible levels established by statutory guidelines. In addition, a human health risk assessment, performed using the estimated weekly intake (EWI) values, indicated that farmed fish from the Yonki Reservoir are safe for human consumption.
Department of Agriculture, PNG University of Technology, Private Mail Bag, Lae, Morobe, 411, Papua New Guinea.
Samuel
S
Kapia
Department of Agriculture, PNG University of Technology, Private Mail Bag, Lae, Morobe, 411, Papua New Guinea. rsraobk@rediffmail.com.
B K Rajashekhar
BK
Rao
Environmental Research and Management Center, PNG University of Technology, Private Mail Bag, Lae, Morobe, 411, Papua New Guinea.
Harry
H
Sakulas
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D002347:Carps / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism; D059022:Food Safety; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D008906:Mining; D010219:Papua New Guinea; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017747:Seafood; D017210:Tilapia / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014481:United States; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D060753:Water Quality
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D006046:Gold
Bioaccumulation; Farmed fish; Gold mining; Heavy metals; Sediments
Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2015 Jun;94(6):715-21
25836264
Environ Int. 2004 Jun;30(4):567-76
15031017
Environ Monit Assess. 2012 Dec;184(12):7623-34
22270596
Environ Monit Assess. 2013 Apr;185(4):3117-31
22821322
Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2015 Oct;95(4):499-506
26210826
Environ Monit Assess. 2013 Jul;185(7):6049-62
23208758
Environ Geochem Health. 2009 Dec;31(6):657-71
19016333
Environ Sci Technol. 2009 Oct 1;43(19):7225-9
19848126
Environ Monit Assess. 2015 May;187(5):233
25850991
Environ Monit Assess. 2009 Jan;148(1-4):75-84
18210204
Environ Monit Assess. 2015 Apr;187(4):161
25740685
Environ Int. 2004 Apr;30(2):159-65
14749104
Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2014 Jun;92(6):674-9
24590446
Environ Monit Assess. 2012 Jul;184(7):4289-99
21800063