In the current study, a comparison was conducted between different
water drains (Bahr El-Baqar, El-Rahawy and Um El-Resh) and the River
Nile water at El-Kanater sector in terms of muscle pollution. In addition, the
effect of pollution on heavy metals concentrations in the liver and gills of
fish samples from different locations was studied. All heavy metal
concentrations examined for the Nile tilapia harvested from El-Rahawy and
Um El-Resh were lower than the permissible limits, except for lead which
showed slightly higher values. The levels of all studied metals such as Fe,
Zn, Cu and Pb were above the permitted levels for human consumption in
Bahr El-Baqar drain. Consequently, fish consumption from Bahr El-Baqar
drain should not be permitted. While the Nile tilapia sampled from the
River Nile is safe for human consumption. Higher pollution levels were
recorded for Bahr El-Baqar drain, with regard to four heavy metals
including Fe, Zn, Cu and Pb. Consequently, a strict monitoring program
should be applied in order to sustain the safety of the Nile tilapia for
consumers.