Abstract
The body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) collected from drainage canals in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia and the concentration of four heavy metals; zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co) and lead (Pb) in both fish muscles and the water collected from this environment were assessed across the four seasons. The body composition was found to change with the seasons, with the best body composition being recorded in autumn and winter, where higher levels of protein (17.24, 17.65%), and fat (0.58, 0.71%) and lower water content (80.15, 79.86%) respectively were noted. The concentration of heavy metals in both fish muscles and the water body also varied significantly with the seasons. In the fish muscles, the highest content of Zn (0.409mg/kg dry weight) and Cd (4.140mg/kg dry weight) was recorded in winter, however, the highest concentration of Co (0.318mg/kg dry weight) and Pb (1.96mg/kg dry weight) was observed in spring and summer respectively. On the other hand, the water samples collected in autumn showed the maximum concentration of Cd (1.385mg/L), Co (0.762mg/L) and Pb (0.18mg/L) however, the maximum concentration of Zn (0.0041mg/L) was recorded in winter. With the exception of Cd, the accumulation of the studied heavy metals in fish muscles was within the safe limits for seafood recommended by various organizations.