Human Health Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Water, Sediments and Edible Fish Species Collected from Idu-Uruan Beach, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Aim: This study evaluates human health risk assessment of trace metals particularly [Chromium(Cr), Copper(Cu), Manganese(Mn), Lead(Pb), and Zinc(Zn)] in water, sediments and edible fish species collected from Idu-Uruan Beach, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Study Design: Sediments, water and fish were collected from Esuk River Idu Uruan.

Methodology: The water samples were collected in 1 liter sterile polyethylene plastic container in triplet. Sediments samples were also collected in triplicates from the same site where water samples were sampled and preserved in polyethylene bags. A total of 25 fish samples (5 of each species) were also randomly collected from Esuk River. The total samples collected were 29.The samples were digested with aqua regia (HCl and HNO3; 3:1) and analysed with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for Cu, Mn, Cr, Zn and Pb.

Results: Results showed that trace metals were accumulated more in the gills than in the muscles as such consumption of the gills is more detrimental to health than the muscle. Trace metals were accumulated more in water collected at the bank of the river (UWB) than in water collected at the middle of the river(UWA) as such UWB was more polluted than UWA. Also trace metals were accumulated more in sediment collected at the bank of the river (USB) than in sediment collected at the middle of the river (USA), implying that USB was more polluted than USA. The estimated daily intake, hazard index and hazard quotient via ingestion pathway for all the investigated metals were less than unity.

Conclusion: Water and sediments in Esuk River, Idu Uruan is not highly polluted. Frequent monitoring of the aquatic environment is advocated to detect and prevent cumulative effect of trace metal pollutants in edible fishes, which may result in health risk in humans.