Cadmium and zinc accumulation and depuration in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) tissues following sub-lethal exposure.

Oreochromis niloticus was subjected to sub-lethal Cd and Zn concentrations for 14 days in order to evaluate their accumulation in the gills, liver, and muscle. Following that, the fish were placed to uncontaminated water for 7 days to allow the metals to be removed from the tissues. The gills had the highest bio-concentration factor for Cd and Zn. The gills showed the highest Cd accumulation rate, and the muscle showed the lowest. The muscle had the highest Cd depuration rate, while the liver had the lowest. The liver exhibited the highest Zn accumulation rate, while the gills and muscle had nearly similar values. Zn depuration rates were very consistent across all tissues.