Determination of Lead and Cadmium Levels in Water and Fish Muscle in Elshajara Area, Khartoum State-Sudan

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the levels of lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) in water and fish muscle obtained from Elshajara area - Khartoum - Sudan. This area is located near one of the important factories in the country and is also an important fishing site. A total of 60 samples (30 water and 30 fish muscles) were obtained from 3 different sites in the targeted area. The levels of Pb and Cd were measured using Atomic Absorption   Spectrometry. The overall mean level of Pb and Cd in water samples were 0.148±0.0104 µg/l and 0.014±0.002 µg/l, respectively. Regarding the fish samples, the levels of Pb and Cd were 0.28480±0.018 µg/kg and 0.027±0.004, respectively. The levels were below WHO acceptable limits. The level Pb and Cd in water and fish obtained from area B   were the highest because this site is  closest to the factory effluent site and thus the high levels. Adopting proper water disposal systems for factories and other industrial facilities is necessary to avoid contamination of the ecosystem. This may in the long run affect the human health through consumption of food contaminated with such metals.