Bioaccumulation of platinum group metals on some fish species (Oreochromis niloticus, Penaeus laspisulcates, Scylla serrate, Galaxias brevipinnis and Mollusc) in the Pra estuary of Ghana

Abstract

Catalytic converters have been designed to solve the problem of pollution from automobiles. However, recent studies have shown that the platinum group metals (PGMs) that are used in the design are being deposited alongside highways. The objective of this study was to measure the levels of PGMs that bioaccumulate in Oreochromis niloticus, Penaeus laspisulcates, Scylla serrate, Galaxias brevipinnis and Mollusc in the river Pra estuary along a major highway in Ghana. Chemical analysis using neutron activation analysis showed accumulation of the PGMs in all the biota species analysed. The S. serrate and mollusc showed higher accumulation than the other species. The mollusc and the other fish species in the estuary are consumed in Ghana, and therefore there is the need to educate the population on the effect of the PGMs on their health.

Keywords:

• catalytic converters
• platinum group metals
• Pra estuary
• kwashiorkor
• Oreochromis niloticus
• Penaeus laspisulcates
• Scylla serrate
• Galaxias brevipinnis
• Mollusc
• Beposo
• Krobo
• Shama beach and Bosomdo

Acknowledgements

This work was supported under contract with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission Reactor 1 (GHAER 1), Accra, Ghana. The authors would also like to thank the technical assistance of workers of the GHAER 1, staff and research team of the Chemistry Department, University of Cape Coast for their support and contributions.