Seasonal Dynamics of Heavy Metals in Commercially Important Marine Fish from the Bay of Bengal Coast of Bangladesh

Md Sirajul Islam,Md Masud-Un Noby,Md Hasan Imran,Md Enamul Hoq,Sunzida Haque Rimu,Md Humayun Kabir,Md Safiur Rahman

doi:10.33002/nr2581.6853.03021

Abstract

This study was conducted to know the seasonal dynamics of heavy metal (Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb and Hg) concentrations in marine fish from the Bay of Bengal coast of Bangladesh in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The fish samples of various species viz. Churi (Trichiurus lepturus), Loittya (Harpadon nehereus), Ilish (Tenualosa ilisha) in St-1; Churi, Loittya, Ilish, Surma (Euthynnus affinis) in St-2; and Poa (Otolithoides pama), Loittya, Ilish in St-3 were collected seasonally from fish landing stations during December 2017 to November 2018. The samples were analyzed by using UNICAM-929 atomic absorption spectrophotometer following AOAC (2012) in the Food Laboratory of the SGS Bangladesh Limited., Dhaka. The results showed that among the metals, only Zn was detected in every station over the seasons. Overall metal accumulation, Zn content found more followed by Cu and Cr, whereas Cd, Pb and Hg were below the lower limit of detection in all the collected fish samples. Therefore, the study concluded that the fish are safe for human consumption as well as for public health and food safety measures ensured by common marine fish of Bangladesh.

Highlights

The concept of blue economy as well as marine fisheries resources in Bangladesh can be developed as emerging sectors
Blue economy started in the country after settlement of maritime boundary delimitation dispute with Myanmar and India, when Bangladesh allowed sovereign rights on all the living and mineral resources of the continental shelf extending up to 354 nautical miles (Jafrin, Saif and Hossain, 2016)
The Bay of Bengal is an inseparable part of Bangladesh and there is no doubt that the sea resources like exploration of fisheries resources for long-term food security, export earning, management of marine fisheries resources, protecting marine environment and biodiversity would determine future development and economic growth as well as food safety and security (Moula, Parvin and Ferdaus, 2014)

Summary

Introduction

The concept of blue economy as well as marine fisheries resources in Bangladesh can be developed as emerging sectors. There exist tremendous opportunities for Bangladesh to strengthen oceanbased economy as well as marine fisheries (Jafrin, Saif and Hossain, 2016; Moula, Parvin and Ferdaus, 2014). Studies show that metal pollution could be very high in the Indian subcontinent such as in Bangladesh since direct discharge of effluents almost always occurs, and from agricultural activities and as a consequence aquatic biota, and humans could be at a higher risks of exposure from toxic metals via the food chain pathways (BOBLME, 2015). Fish are widely consumed by coastal people in Bangladesh, since most harvested marine fish are located high in aquatic food chains, they accumulate metals from direct absorption from water and through tropic transfers, exposing human beings through food consumption

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Conclusion