TITLE:
Trace Metal Concentrations (Hg, Pb, As, Cd, Fe) in Fish Muscles from the Cavally River Impacted by Gold Panning in the Zouan-Hounien Department (Western Côte D’Ivoire)
AUTHORS:
Pehegninon Junior Ophelie Djade, Abou Traore, Yiwa Monique Kamenan, Kéiba Noel Keumean
KEYWORDS:
Gold Panning, Clarias nigrodigitatus, Trace Metal Elements (TME), Health Risk, Cavally River
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.16 No.11,
November
21,
2025
ABSTRACT: Gold panning is a growing activity in the Zouan-Hounien department, and it has a significant impact on surface water resources. This study aims to determine the concentration of certain trace elements in Clarias nigrodigitatus muscles and assess the associated health risks to local populations. Mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and iron concentrations in fish muscles complied with the FAO/WHO guide values recommended for consumption. The bioconcentration factors calculated for mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and iron relative to sediments are less than one (BCF/sediments 1), indicating that fish concentrate trace elements in their muscles from the water. Additionally, the health risk assessment conducted on children and adults revealed hazard quotient (HQ) values below one (HQ −6 ≤ CR −4) and not significant for lead (CR −6).