摘要：A base line study was carried out before the off-shore drilling of oil in the Western region of Ghana to assess the levels of nine (9) essential elements (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cl, Al, V, Cu, and Mn) in the muscle of six different fishes using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique. The species; Pseudotolitus typus, Pomadasys jubelini, Sphyraena sphyraena, Chloroscombrus chrysurus, Caranyx crysos, and Scomberous tritor) were collected at landing sites from three communities in the Western Region namely, Efasu, Half-Assin and Mangyea. Metals in fish were measured on a dry weight basis.The concentrations of metals in the muscles of fish were 88.78-3593.28μg/g (Mg), 2652.64-11097.02 μg/g (Ca), 276.42-5108.14 μg/g (Na), 1432.62-26176.66 μg/g (K), 116.42-9967.66 μg/g (Cl), 1.64-8.04 μg/g (Al), n.d-1.99 μg/g (Mn), n.d-0.54 μg/g (V) and n.d-33.02 μg/g (Cu). Elements which were most abundant in all species were Ca, Mg, Na, K and Cl and this suggests their essential character to all the species. They are essential in the mechanical movement of the fish and are also necessary for neuromuscular functions. Consumption of these fish species poses no threat to human health however, there is the potential danger of metal contamination as a result of the activities of the oil exploration. Therefore a monitoring programme has to be conducted regularly to prevent such occurences.
关键词：essential element; fish; muscle; NAA; off-shore drilling; Western Region
