Cadmium Accumulation in Fish Tissues Under Low Water Level Conditions in the Diyala River /Iraq

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that can enter aquatic ecosystems through various sources, including agricultural drainage and domestic wastewater. Fish, particularly tilapia, are vulnerable to heavy metal contamination and can serve as important bioindicators of aquatic pollution. The consumption of fish contaminated with elevated levels of cadmium may pose potential health risks to humans. Therefore, this study aims to assess cadmium contamination in the Diyala River under low-water-level conditions. Specifically, the study measures cadmium concentrations in the river water and sediments and investigates its accumulation in the muscles, liver, and gills of tilapia fish. The findings are expected to provide an indication of the extent of cadmium contamination in the river ecosystem and its potential accumulation in aquatic organisms.