Determination of Mercury Level in Rana esculenta (Frog), Sediment and Water from River Guma, Benue State Nigeria

Abstract

The level of mercury was determined in R. esculenta (edible frog), sediment and water from river Guma, Benue State, for three (3) consecutive months using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometer (HG-AAS) technique. The mean   concentrations of mercury in the R. esculenta, water and sediment were 0.027mg/kg, 0.00mg/kg and 0.001mg/kg, respectively. The absence of mercury in the water signifies its affinity to adsorbed to any surface in the river. Mercury builds up in the tissues of R. esculenta and its levels in tissues increase as we go up the food chain. The result of the analysis shows that the level of mercury is always higher in the liver (0.014mg/kg) compared to intestine (0.010mg/kg) and muscle (0.003mg/kg). The mean concentration of mercury obtained in R. esculenta (0.027mg/kg) was below the International Atomic Energy Agency recommendation value (IAEA – 433) of 0.168mg/kg.

Keywords: Mercury, Edible Frog, Sediment, Guma, HG-AAS