BIOACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN THE TISSUES OF FRESHWATER CYPRINUS CARPIO L. (COMMON CARP)

This study investigates the accumulation of heavy metals in Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus collected from Sherabad Carp Hatchery Peshawar, and the Kabul River Peshawar to assess the influence of habitat on bioaccumulation patterns. Tissue samples from the gills, muscles, and intestine were analyzed for concentrations of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb). Results revealed higher concentrations of metals in river fish compared to hatchery fish indicating environmental contamination in natural water bodies, due to anthropogenic activities. Nickel showed the highest overall accumulation in river specimens, tend to suggest localized sources of pollution. While organ type did not exhibit a significant effect, descriptive trends suggested organ-specific affinities for certain metals. A significant interaction between habitat and metal type highlighted the complex nature of bioaccumulation mechanisms. The model accounted for 83.1% of the variation in metal concentrations, underscoring the importance of environmental conditions in shaping pollutant uptake in aquatic organisms. These findings stress the need for continuous monitoring and strict pollution control in freshwater ecosystems to safeguard both ecological and human health.