An Assessment of the Heavy Metal Content of Cat Fish (Clarias Lazera) obtained from the Lower Niger Basin at Idah, Kogi State using Energy Dispersive X- ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Technique

Five catfish (Clarias lazera) samples obtained from the Lower Niger River Basin at Idah were subjected to elemental analysis by Energy Dispersive X - ray Fluorescence (EDXR) technique. A voltage of 30KV and current of 1mA was applied to produce a 17.441KeV molybdenum X-ray which was used to irradiate the samples for ten minutes. The analysis was performed using the mini pal 4 version PW 4030 X -ray spectrometer at the Center for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The elemental composition and concentration of seven major and trace elements: Ca, Cr, K, Cu, Fe, Mn, and V were detected in the samples. The major elements are Ca,K and Fe while the trace elements are Cr,Cu, V and Mn. The concentration of Calcium which is the highest range fro 0.370% to 3.110% while the concentration of Copper which is the least range from 46.030pm to 99.859pm. The result shows the presence of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and V which are heavy metals the concentration of Cr, Cu, Fe and Mn in the sample were below World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization(FAO) maximum permissible limit of intake of the various minerals respectively. However the concentration of V found in the sample is above the WHO and FAO maximum limit for Vanadium.