title: Mercury concentration in muscle, bellyfat and liver fromOreochromis niloticusandLates niloticusconsumed in Lake Albert fishing communities in Uganda.
abstract: Without surveillance studies on mercury (Hg) levels in predominant fish species and parts eaten in a fishing community, the FAO/WHO guidelines might be surpassed, hence health risk. A monitoring study in a developing country with 29Oreochromis niloticus(Nile tilapia) and 34Lates niloticus(Nile perch) from landing sites provided muscle, bellyfat and liver samples for Mercury detection using Inductive Couple Plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. The study shows that fish eaten in the fishing community are small with fewer risks from mercury. Tilapia accumulated more mercury in muscle and liver than Nile perch. Fish consumed has mercury levels higher than FAO/WHO guidelines, and the bellyfat of Nile perch bioaccumulated more mercury than Tilapia. Based on the above, it is clear that some fish species should not be eaten by the vulnerable groups due to levels of Hg found in the muscle and bellyfat. This research will serve as a base for future studies, sensitization campaigns and policy design on mercury uptake through fish in fishing communities of developing countries.
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University , P.O. Box. 7062 , Kampala , Uganda.
authors: Tamale
authors: T
authors: Andrew
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University , P.O. Box. 7062 , Kampala , Uganda.
authors: Ejobi
authors: E
authors: Francis
authors: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University , P.O. Box. 7062 , Kampala , Uganda.
authors: Muyanja
authors: M
authors: Charles
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University , P.O. Box. 7062 , Kampala , Uganda.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Naigaga
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University , P.O. Box. 7062 , Kampala , Uganda.
authors: Nakavuma
authors: N
authors: Jessica
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University , P.O. Box. 7062 , Kampala , Uganda.
authors: Ocaido
authors: O
authors: Micheal
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University , P.O. Box. 7062 , Kampala , Uganda.
authors: Kato Charles
authors: KC
authors: Drago
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University , P.O. Box. 7062 , Kampala , Uganda.
authors: Sente
authors: S
authors: Celsus
keywords: Uganda; consumption guideline; fish; heavy metal; surveillance; third world