Status of trace metals and arsenic in sediments and catfish muscles (Clarias gariepinus) from the Eastern Tanzanian basin
| dc.contributor.author | Mayila, Edward | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mzula, Alexanda | |
| dc.contributor.author | Rumisha, Cyrus | |
| dc.contributor.author | Leermakers, Martine | |
| dc.contributor.author | Huyghe, Filip | |
| dc.contributor.author | Kochzius, Marc | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-24T07:46:59Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-07-24T07:46:59Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-08-29 | |
| dc.description | Trace metals in sediments and catfish muscles | |
| dc.description.abstract | Trace metals and metalloids are groups of chemical elements that naturally occur in low concentrations and cycle in the environment driven by natural processes and human activi- ties. They have a persistent and bio-accumulative tendency in the environment, and certain trace metals and metalloids have become a public health concern. This study assesses the concentration of eleven trace metals and a metalloid in sediments and catfish muscle from five study sites in the Eastern Tanzanian River basin. Forty catfish tissues and fifteen sedi- ment samples were collected and analyzed using ICP-MS. Concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Pb, and Zn did not exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline for pollution of sediments, while Al Cr, Al, Mn, and V with values ranging from (118.54 to 70154.55) indicating moderately polluted. The stations Java-Sadaani and Matandu showed the highest Cr, Ni, and Cu concentrations, but the potential ecological risk index (RI) was low (RI < 95). In the catfish muscle tissue, the levels of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn did not surpass the EU and FAO/WHO limits and results ranged from 2.22 to 35.22mg/kg. Low levels of accumulation of Cd, Pb, and As were found in this study compared to catfish muscles from other studies, whereas the concentrations of other trace metals and metal- loids analyzed had comparable results. Biota/sediment accumulation factors (BSAF) were all < 1. The weekly metal intake (MWI) results ranged from 6.89E-04 to 2.43E+01 μg/know- 1week-1, indicating a low risk as the value did not exceed the FAO/WHO established Per- missible Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI). The non-carcinogenic health risk result THQ was 4.43E-02 and the carcinogenic health risks result HI was 4.42E-05 which indicated tolerable levels of risks as both the values of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and the Hazard Index (HI) was < 1, and the carcinogenic target risk (TR) is < 0.0001. The highest TR values were observed for Cr and Ni. We recommend a continued monitoring of the changes in trace metal levels in the environment and biota together with continuous public health education on the dangers of high levels of trace metals. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | UNIVERSITAS program of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel as part of capacity building to developing countries. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306335 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7836 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | PLOS ONE | |
| dc.subject | Catfish | |
| dc.subject | Sediment | |
| dc.subject | Cancer risk factors | |
| dc.subject | Ecological risk | |
| dc.subject | Pollution | |
| dc.subject | Metalloids | |
| dc.subject | Arsenic | |
| dc.subject | Rivers | |
| dc.title | Status of trace metals and arsenic in sediments and catfish muscles (Clarias gariepinus) from the Eastern Tanzanian basin | |
| dc.type | Article |