Estimating The Accumulation of Potentially Harmful Elements in Cirrhinus mrigala From Indus River, South Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Pollution is a worldwide issue this time. Increased industrialization is causing the emission of many harmful elements in the ecosystem.
Fish show huge biodiversity, possessing an assortment of living spaces and are significant marks of water quality. In this study, the
accumulation of harmful elements was measured and studied in Cirrhinus mrigala. A total of 50fish samples were collected from the
Indus River at Ghazi Ghat, South Punjab, Pakistan. The accumulation of harmful elements was studied by using atomic absorption
spectrophotometer (AAS). The five elements were studied which include Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As) and Mercury
(Hg). The detectable range of the elements was Zn>As>Pb>Cu>Hg. Mercury was below the detectable limit. These accumulations were
calculated in Cirrhinus mrigala to assess the human health risk. The present study revealed that the presence of these elements is
significantly fluctuated in the fish samples. This study revealed that high levels of harmful elements are creating the serious hazardous
situation and it lead to food chain contamination.