Assessment of Fluoride Bioaccumulation Potential in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Reared in Fluoride Rich Water
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Date
2021-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Fluoride bioaccumulation in fish poses a significant impact on their growth, survival and
consequently to upper trophic levels. Few studies have reported the impacts of high fluoride
concentrations and their accumulation potential to catfish in African settings. A 60-day catfish
cultivation was conducted at Ngarenanyuki ward and the Nelson Mandela African Institution of
Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, Tanzania to determine fluoride bioaccumulation
and its impacts to catfish growth and survival. Juvenile catfish were exposed to 36 mg F–/L pond
water and synthetic water containing fluoride (NaF) concentrations of 5, 15, 36 and 45 mg/L in
aquaria set at NM-AIST laboratory. Fluoride concentrations in fish tissues were analysed by ion-
selective electrode. Fish survival rate was greater than 90% in ≤ 36 mg/L fluoride levels compared
to 65.8% in 45 mg F–/L aquarium. Significant fluoride bioaccumulation was observed in fish
bones (222.00 mg/kg, dry weight), gills (177.4 mg/kg), skin (9 mg/kg) and low amount in fillets
(1.467 mg/kg). Fluoride bioaccumulation significantly rose with fluoride levels increase and
exposure time (p = 0.000). The study concludes that high fluoride occurrence and its increased
exposure time increases fluoride bioaccumulation in African catfish. Therefore, growing catfish in
water containing ≥ 45 mg F–/L requires defluoridation process.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 14: Life Below Water.
Keywords
African catfish, Aquarium, Fluoride bioaccumulation, Growth performance