Dataset of metal(loid) concentrations recorded in the tissues of two fish species from Flag Boshielo Dam, South Africa

Metal(loid) pollution in aquatic ecosystems has become a cause for concern, particularly in areas where communities depend on services from these systems for their livelihood. This dataset presents the metal(loi) concentrations recorded in the water column, bottom sediment, and tissues of Oreochromis mossambicus and Labeo rosae from Flag Boshielo Dam, an impoundment in one of the most polluted river systems in Southern Africa, the Olifants River. The concentrations of metal(loid)s were measured using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES; Perkin Elmer, Optima 2100DV). The data generated attest that in aquatic ecosystems, metal(loid)s do not remain in suspension in the water column, but sink down to the bottom sediment where they accumulate or get taken up by receptor organisms such as fish. It further confirm that there is a clear separation on the extent to which metal(loid)s are accumulating in different tissues and liver mostly accumulate higher concentration followed by gills and muscle, respectively. These data can be useful to guide future studies aiming to understand the dynamics, pathways and fate of metal(loid)s in relation to water, sediment and fish tissues. These data can also be used for decision making in relation to the establishment of freshwater fisheries in dams receiving metal(loid)s from different land use activities.