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Concentrations of zinc in Barbus marequensis from the lower Olifants River, Mpumalanga, South Africa

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Abstract

Zinc was detected in all the tissues examined, but in variable concentrations. The highest zinc concentrations were detected in the skin and ovaries. These zinc concentrations also differed significantly from the concentrations in the other tissues. The bioaccumulation pattern of zinc in the fish was determined as: skin >ovaries>liver>gills>vertebrae>testes>hindgut>foregut contents >kidney=foregut>hindgut contents>muscle>blood>fat>bile.

Although significant differences (P<0.05) between localities were detected no clear trend as to where the highest bioaccumulation had occurred, could be established. Significant seasonal differences were detected, but it was not always the same tissue that indicates these seasonal differences. The zinc concentrations detected in the fish suggest no serious zinc pollution in the lower Olifants River. Zinc levels detected in some of the tissues might indicate chronic exposure, causing possible sub-lethal effects. However, this should be investigated before final conclusions can be made.

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  1. Department of Zoology, Research Unit for Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems, Rand Afrikaans University, Auckland Park, P.O. Box 524, 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa

    T. Seymore, H. H. du Preez & J. H. J. van Vuren

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  1. T. Seymore
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  2. H. H. du Preez
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  3. J. H. J. van Vuren
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Seymore, T., du Preez, H.H. & van Vuren, J.H.J. Concentrations of zinc in Barbus marequensis from the lower Olifants River, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Hydrobiologia 332, 141–150 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031919

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