Evidence for the presence of cadmium, copper and zinc in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus) caught from Laguna de Bay and Taal Lake.

Date

3-1998

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Ecology Genetics

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Lourdes V. Castillo

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the presence of the heavy metals, cadmium, copper and zinc in the flesh, gut, gills and liver of tilapia, Oreochromis niloricus and compare the concentrations in tilapia caught from Laguna de Bay and Taal Lake. Samples were digested using concentrated nitric and perchloric acid (2:1 v/v) and the heavy metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. High cadmium, copper and zinc concentrations were noted in the inedible portion (gills, gut, and liver) of the tilapia caught from Laguna de Bay and Taal Lake than the edible flesh. Significantly higher cadmium and copper concentrations were observed in the liver for both Laguna de Bay and Taal lake samples (P<0.05), whereas the flesh had the lowest heavy metal accumulation. For zinc, the highest metal accumulation was in the gut and liver for Laguna de Bay and Taal Lake, respectively. The lowest zinc concentration was noted in the flesh of samples coming for both lakes. Accumulation of heavy metals was high in the inedible tissues, such as the liver and gut since the organs are believed to be the major storage and uptake sites. Comparing the accumulation of heavy metals between Laguna de Bay and Taal Lake, relatively higher metal concentrations were noted in samples obtained from

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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