Abstract:
Biomarkers in fish are considered to be one indicator of the level of exposure and
response to pollutants in a body of water. The purpose of this study was to evaluate
the histopathological structure of the liver and bioaccumulation of heavy metal
elements in Tilapia meat as a biomarker of environmental pollution in post coal
mining ponds. Tilapia samples come from three different post-mining ponds, namely
from the control pond, Godlstar pit (10 years old) and Senong pit (5 years). Heavy
metal content in fish meat was analyzed using Sanning Electron Microscopy
combined with an Energy Dispersive tool X-ray (SEM-EDX). The results showed that
the level of accumulation of heavy metals (K, Cu, Zn) in fish samples with the highest
percentage of metal elements was Cu between 1.48-1.74%; Zn between 0,80-1.17%
and K between 1.58-2.43% and all of these percentages are greater than those of the
control fish. Histological lesions in the liver of Tilapia, O.niloticus are in line with the
accumulation of metals in meat. The levels of Cu and K in meat are more low in longer
ponds, higher Zn percentage in old ponds. These results provide evidence that
microanalysis of metal elements in tissue with SEM-EDX and fish liver histopathology
as pollutant biomarkers can be a sensitive indicator of pollutant exposure in post-coal
mine land waters. The findings of this study are expected to be used as consideration
in the aspect of diagnostic methods in monitoring fish health status and quality of fish
products originating from post-mining ponds.
