Selected Trace Metal Concentrations in Different Tissues of Fish from Coastal Waters of Pakistan (Arabian Sea)

Abstract

Ni, Cu, Mn, Hg, Fe, Cr, Cd, Zn, Pb and As in the edible muscle, kidney and liver of twelve species of fish from the coastal waters of Pakistan (Arabian Sea) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The levels of these metals were minimum in muscle, while in liver and kidney they were higher. Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb and As accumulated more in liver than in kidney. The distribution of the metals in different organs was species-specific. Silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) and black pomfret (Formio niger) contained trace metal levels in the order kidney liver muscle. The study revealed that the trace metal levels in pomfrets (Pampus argenteus and Formio niger), longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggel) and Indian oilsardine (Sardinella longiceps) were higher as compared with other fish.