Contaminations of potentially toxic elements in the carp Rastrineobola argentea in Lake Victoria, Tanzania

Lake Victoria is suffering from the consequences of rapid population growth and poor environmental management. The catches of the carp Rastrineobola argentea from Lake Victoria is an important food source for the local population and there is no regular inspection and monitoring of this fish species. The aim of the project was to determine the concentrations of potentially toxic elements in carp caught in the Mwanza region of Lake Victoria and the associated food safety risk. Further aims was to determine the influence of local antropogenic activities and infection of the carp by the cestode Ligula intestinalis.

Dry weight concentrations of potentially toxic elements in the Lake Victoria carp were: Zn: 228-271 mg/kg, Cu: 2.7-3.2 mg/kg, Pb: 17-35 µg/kg, Cd: 12-74 µg/kg, Hg: 11-91 µg/kg and As: 375-593 µg/kg. Concentrations were in the range of findings in carps from previous studies from Lake Victorie and other places in the world and they did not pose a food safety risk.