Heavy Metal Concentration in Fishes from the Coastal Waters of Kapar and Mersing, Malaysia

Abstract

Although fish is a significant source of protein, they are currently affected by rapid industrialization and mechanized agricultural activities, resulting in increased concentrations of heavy metals in fishes. Concentrations of heavy metals, namely, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Zn, were estimated in the muscle, liver, and gills of two commercially important marine fishes, namely, Arius thalassinus and Johnius belangeri. The fish samples were collected from Kapar and Mersing, which are the west and east coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia, respectively. The results showed that the muscle had the lowest metal concentrations compared with the liver and gills. Among the estimated heavy metal concentrations, those of Zn and Cd were the highest and the lowest, respectively, for both species in muscle, liver and gills. Moreover, our results indicate that A. thalassinus has higher metal concentrations than J. belangeri in both areas. None of the values in the muscles exceeded the standard guideline values and hence would not pose any health hazard to consumers.