Lead Contamination in Water and Fish from Tanda Dam, Kohat: Environmental and Public Health Concerns | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences | ||
| Articles in Press, Corrected Proof, Available Online from 11 November 2025 PDF (617.02 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejvs.2025.416738.3075 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Muhammad Mustafa1; Tanveer Khan* 2; Manzoor Ahmad3; Abdul Wahab4; Muhammad Rauf5; Irum Gul5; Aiman Tariq6; Zafar Nawaz7; Bushra Arshad8 | ||
| 1Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Islamabad, Pakistan | ||
| 2Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya | ||
| 3Govt Postgraduate College Miranshah, North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan | ||
| 4Department of Biological Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan | ||
| 5Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan | ||
| 6Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Comsats University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan | ||
| 7Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan | ||
| 8Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses significant ecological and public health concerns. This study investigated lead (Pb) concentrations in water and muscle tissues of four cyprinid species—Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cyprinus carpio, and Labeo rohita—from Tanda Dam, Kohat, Pakistan, a major source of irrigation and fish production. Water and fish samples were collected from seven sites and analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Pb concentrations in water ranged from 0.046 to 1.03 mg/L, while fish muscle samples contained 0.258 to 0.378 mg/kg. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, p < 0.05) revealed significant spatial variation among sites and interspecific differences in fish accumulation. H. molitrix showed the highest Pb concentration, whereas L. rohita had the lowest. Although measured concentrations were within international safety thresholds, localized hotspots in the south and west suggest potential contamination risks. This study provides a systematic assessment of Pb contamination in Tanda Dam, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of heavy metals in both aquatic environments and fish species consumed by local communities. The findings underscore the importance of implementing proper waste management and effluent treatment to prevent future ecological degradation and safeguard public health. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Heavy metals; Lead; Aquatic toxicology; Civic pollution; Public health | ||
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