Assessment of heavy metals in water, sediment and fish tissues, from Sharkia province, Egypt

The present study was conducted to investigate factors affecting live fish at different sources of water (agriculture drainage, industrial drainage and sewage wastewater). Heavy metal residues (zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminium, manganese, nikel and cobalt) were determined in water, sediment and fish organs (muscles, gills, kidney and liver tissues) of three fishes (Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus and Bagrus bayad). The industrial drainage and sewage water revealed the highest concentrations of heavy metals followed by agriculture drainage water. The muscles, gills, kidney and liver tissues of fish samples collected from industrial drainage and sewage canals had the highest levels of heavy metal residues followed by agriculture drainage canals. The heavy metal studies revealed that there is a public health hazard associated with industrial drainage, sewage wastewater and agriculture drainage as the quality of fish did not comply with the standard levels recommended by WHO, USEPA and ANZECC. Potential adverse health effects in such applications could be avoided if the wastewater is sufficiently treated.