Concentrations of trace elements in marine fish and its risk assessment in Malaysia

Abstract

Concentrations of trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi) were determined in muscle and liver of 12 species of marine fish collected from coastal areas in Malaysia. Levels of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Ba and Pb in liver were higher than those in muscle, whereas Rb and Cs concentrations showed the opposite trend. Positive correlations between concentrations in liver and muscle were observed for all the trace elements except Cu and Sn. Copper, Zn, Se, Ag, Cd, Cs and Hg concentrations in bigeye scads from the east coast of the Peninsular Malaysia were higher than those from the west, whereas V showed the opposite trend. The high concentration of V in the west coast might indicate oil contamination in the Strait of Malacca. To evaluate the health risk to Malaysian population through consumption of fish, intake rates of trace elements were estimated on the basis of the concentrations of trace elements in muscle of fish and daily fish consumption. Some specimens of the marine fish had Hg levels higher than the guideline value by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indicating that consumption of these fish at the present rate may be hazardous to Malaysian people. To our knowledge, this is the first study on multielemental accumulation in marine fish from the Malaysian coast.

Assessment of Heavy Metal in Self-caught Saltwater Fish from Port Dickson Coastal Water, Malaysia

“…Another study conducted in the Straits of Malacca reported that the range of Cd mean concentration was from 0.006 to 0.03 mg/kg (Alina et al 2012). Based on the findings of this study, it was observed that the level of Cd in fish increased compared with the study done by Agusa et al (2005). This could be an indicator of the pollution status in coastal water of Port Dickson.…”

“…There are limited local studies performed to determine the Cr concentration in local marine fish in Malaysia. A study by Agusa et al (2005) reported that Cr level in fish from coastal water of Port Dickson was within the range 0.31 and 0.71 mg/kg. The findings from present study also showed an increment in Cr levels in fish samples from coastal water of Port Dickson.…”

“…Before digestion, the dried samples were grinded and homogenized using porcelain mortar and pestle. A total of 1 g of the dried fish samples was digested with 10 mL of concentrated nitric acid (25%) as applied by Agusa et al (2005), Ahmad et al (2007) and Irwandi and Farida (2009). The mixture was heated at 40°C for one day.…”

“…Similarly, findings from local studies on coastal water fish reported lower range of Cd level in fish. Agusa et al (2005) reported that the range of Cd mean concentration in Port Dickson was from 0.0042 to 0.010 mg/kg. Another study conducted in the Straits of Malacca reported that the range of Cd mean concentration was from 0.006 to 0.03 mg/kg (Alina et al 2012).…”

“…Pb levels in all the fish species assessed (except Megalaspis spp) have exceeded regulatory limit of the Malaysian Food Regulations (1985). A study by Agusa et al (2005) Regulations (1985). Study by Agusa et al (2005) on fish from Port Dickson reported mean Pb of 6.7 mg/kg.…”