<![CDATA[Tawes fish (Barbonymus gonionotus) is one of the aquatic animals that has the potential to be contaminated by the heavy metal lead (Pb). Lead (Pb) contamination in the ecosystem can potentially cause organ damage in tawes fish. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of lead (Pb) contamination in tawes fish (Barbonymus gonionotus) residing in the Hasanuddin University lake in Makassar and to evaluate the resulting damage to their kidney tissues. A total of 20 tawes fish were used as samples in this study, with 4 kidney samples taken from each station. The lead (Pb) concentration was measured using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Kidney tissue samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF), dehydrated using graded alcohol, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 µm thickness, and stained with hematoxylin-eosin before observation. The data were analyzed using quantitative descriptive methods. The results showed that lead (Pb) concentrations in the kidneys of contaminated tawes fish ranged from 0.27 to 3.38 µg/g, with an average of 1.00 ± 0.20 µg/g, exceeding the maximum permissible limit for heavy metal contamination in fish as specified by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI), which is 0.3 mg/kg. Histopathological analysis of the kidneys revealed fat degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhage, necrosis, and an increased number of melano-macrophage centers.]]>
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