Heavy metal (lead and mercury) content in greenback mullets (Planiliza subviridis) of Banten Bay, Indonesia

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities in Cengkok coastal waters have a potential to pollute the environment with contaminants such as heavy metals. The aim of this study is to determine both the content and accumulation of heavy metals (Pb and Hg) in greenback mullets (Planiliza subviridis) in Cengkok coastal waters, Banten Bay. Fish samples were taken for six months from March to August 2019. Wet sample destruction was done using the Nitric Acid-Perchloric Acid Digestion method, while heavy metal analysis used the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) instrument. The results of the measurements of Pb and Hg contained in greenback mullets during the study were still below the quality standard, according to the Indonesian FDA (2018). Meanwhile, according to FAO/WHO (2004), Pb content in June, July, and August and Hg content in August had exceeded the quality standard of 0.03 mg/kg (for Pb) and 0.05 mg/kg (for Hg). The safety levels for greenback mullet consumption for children is 0.44 kg of flesh/week and 1.45 kg of flesh/week for adults.