BIOECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC ELEMENT CONCENTRATES INCURRED FROM FISH MEAT CONSUMPTION USING BIOACCUMULATION FACTOR OF SELECTED AQUATIC BIOSPHERE

Abstract

The need for more understanding of water habitations prompted the relevance of this study main objective "bioecological assessment of toxic element concentrates incurred from fish meat consumption using bioaccumulation factor of selected aquatic biosphere". Fish species of Tilapia and Catfish (24 pieces each) harnessed from their colonies, and ten galons of water from their habitat were deployed for analysis. Adsorption techniques were used in obtaining toxic elements test values applied in deducing necessary bioaccumulation factor, pinpointing the bioecological status. Conclusively, the bioecology of the selected aquatic biosphere possessed low toxic elements concentrations, with low bioaccumulation factor, (BAF) ranging between 0 - 5.125. Good pre and post harvest hygienic handling and proper processing methods likes cooking, frying, drying, smoking, etc., were profered as additives in minimizing the rate of these toxics Incurred by humans from aquatic meats.