Authors : Akan B. Williams and M. Adediran Mesubi
Abstract: Two fish species of tilapia, Tilapia guineensis and Sarothorodon melanotheron were sampled from Lagos Lagoon and Agboyi Creek between December, 2008 and September, 2009 during the dry and wet seasons. They were analysed for organochlorines: aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, DDT, heptachlor, HCH, endosulfan, chlordane and methoxychlor. The muscle tissues and organs of the fishes were subjected to cold extraction and clean-up. The detection and determination of the organochlorine residues were performed using a gas chromatograph with a 63Ni electron capture detector. All the fishes had condition factor >1. The organochlorine residues in the fishes in Lagos Lagoon were more than the level in Agboyi Creek while a higher concentration of the residues was observed during the dry season. The muscle tissues of the female fishes accumulated higher organochlorines than the muscle tissues of the male fishes. Tilapia guineensis accumulated higher residues in Agboyi Creek while Sarothorodon melanotheron accumulated higher residues in Lagos Lagoon. The order of accumulation of residues was gills>livers>small intestines>kidneys>muscles. Except for endrin and heptachlor, the estimated daily intakes of the organochlorines were within the acceptable daily intakes while the levels of residues in the fishes were within the permissible residue limits.
Akan B. Williams and M. Adediran Mesubi, 2013. Accumulation of Organochlorines in Tilapia guineensis and Sarothorodon melanotheron from Lagos Lagoon and Agboyi Creek, Nigeria. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 8: 313-320.