Sewage impact on metal accumulation in sediments and fish (Clarias gariepinus) from the University of Cape Coast community and its environs

The objectives of this study was to measure the concentration levels of the heavy metals As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe and Hg upon samples of mudfish(Clarias gariepinus) and sediments in wastewater discharge from the University of Cape Coast community and environs. This measurement was done using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. The average concentration of elements (in mg/kg) in the fish samples, in decreasing order of magnitude were: Fe (130.63) > Cu (3.77) > Cr(0.16) > Co(0.04) and Fe(209.67) > Cu(2.74) > Cr(0.57) > Co(0.09) from piont A and point B respectively. Arsenic and Hg concentrations were below detection limits of INAA in samples from both point A and point B. The chronic daily intake (CDI) obtained for each of the metals in the fish sample shows that the population is not prone to adverse health effects (i.e CDI>>1) due to the concentrations of the metals. From the sediments, Fe recorded the highest concentration of 9808 mg/kg whilst Hg was below the detection limits of INAA. The metals As, Cu, Cr and Co recorded concentrations in mg/kg of 2.04, 4.82, 0.21 and 3.73 respectively in the sediments.