| The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb and Hg) were measured in water and the Muscles, liver, gills, kidney and gonad of fish species collected from Bansagar dam, Deolond in central India. The levels of heavy metals varied significantly among fish species and organs. Muscles possessed the lowest concentration of metals. The essential metals as Cu were accumulated mainly in liver and gonad, Zn accumulated mainly in Gills and Liver, Fe were accumulated in all organs with little bit fluctuation in concentration while Pb accumulated in gill, liver and gonad and Hg exhibited their highest concentrations in gonads. The concentration of metals in the present fish organs within the permissible limits given by WHO and FAO but in case of Hg and Pb these are higher than the limits. BAF for observed metals also showed highest level of metals accumulation in Gill, liver, kidney and gonad than muscles. The Bioaccumulation Factor values of the heavy metals analyzed
in this study showed that bioaccumulation has occurred in the fish in the alarming rate and fishes found in this dam are not suitable for human consumption it may cause severe health threats without proper treatment.
Keywords: Heavy metals, Bansagar dam, Fishes, health threats, Bioaccumulation Factor
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