Heavy metals bioaccumulation and histopathological changes in Auchenoglanis occidentalis fish from Tiga dam, Nigeria

The assessment of heavy metals concentration in Tiga dam, Nigeria vis-à-vis their bioaccumulation and histopathological alterations in Auchenoglanis occidentalis from it were carried out. The water of the dam and the liver of the fish were analyzed for zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and iron (Fe) concentrations and their bioaccumulation factors. At the same time, the gills, liver and kidney of the exposed fish were also examined for histopathological alterations. The results revealed that concentrations of the metals differs significantly (p < 0.05) between the dam’s water and the liver of the sampled fish. Liver bioaccumulations of the metals were in the order of Zn > Fe > Cd > Pb. However, the degree of tissue alterations in the gills showed their normal functioning despite the observed alterations while liver and kidney were mildly and moderately damaged, respectively. This indicated that Zn, Cd, Pb and Fe polluted the dam.