Heavy Metal Contamination of the Nokoué Lake (Southern Benin) and the Dynamic of their Distribution in Organs of some Fish’s Species (Mugil cephalus L. and Tilapia guineensis)

Heavy metal contamination of fresh water may have devastating effects on the ecological balance of the recipient environment and a diversity of aquatic organisms. The aims of this study were to evaluate heavy metal contamination of the Nokoué Lake (Southern Benin) and the dynamic of their distribution in organs of fishes (Mugil cephalus L. and Tilapia guineensis). Results indicated that waters of lake Nokoué are contaminated with heavy metal and fishes (Mugil cephalus L. and Tilapia guineensis ) living in this polluted waters tend to accumulate heavy metals in their tissues. The metals showed different affinity to fish tissues. They accumulated mainly in liver and gills. Accumulation of metals in various organs of fish may cause structural lesions and functional disturbances.