Bioavailability assessment of metals from a nickel mining residue in the gastrointestinal tract of Oreochromis niloticus in vivo.

Mining to obtain ferronickel by the pyrometallurgical process involves a calcination stage that generates a highly metallic solid dust. This study evaluated the bioavailability of metals from calcination dust after being ingested by Oreochromis niloticus. Chemical analysis was performed on the whole body and histological analysis was performed on the gills and gastrointestinal tract of fish to evaluate potential bioaccumulation.