Determination of Persistent Organic Pollutants (pops) in African Catfish (clarias Gariepinus) in Fishponds Along River Yedzaram Mubi, Adamawa State Nigeria

The use of POPs has been confirmed detrimental to health and well-being over the years leading to a ban on their use especially by developing countries such as Nigeria. Contrary to the ban, substances containing POPs have been observed to still be in use due to their low cost and effectiveness, especially for Agricultural purposes; residues from such usage run off into sediments and contaminate water and organisms such as African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) used as food sources thereby, availing consumers to ill – effects of POPs. In this research, the concentration of POPs residues was determined in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), water, and sediment along River Yedzaram in Mubi Adamawa State; GC/MS was used to detect POPs residues in samples collected randomly from five different ponds, in Vimtim stream along River Yedzaram. A total of seven (7) POPs were completely undetected while eight (8) were found distributed in various concentrations in samples. Aldrin was found with the highest concentration of 0.099 µg/kg in sediment and correspondingly 0.054 µg/kg in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). One–way ANOVA statistical analysis was used to test the difference in concentrations of each POPs in each sample analyzed; results were considered significant at a 5% level (p < 0.05), and the concentrations were found to be statistically indifferent. Hence, African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) sourced from that region is suggested to be contaminated and unsafe for consumption. It is recommended that efforts should not be relented in phasing out POPs residues, as well as surveillance on illegal use of the banned POPs until they are extinct.