Evaluation of the Concentration of Some Heavy Metals in Some Fish Species

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr) in the tissue muscle of seven fish species samples collected from a local market of Sebha, including Sardina pilchardus, Scomber scombrus, Pagrus pagrus, Carangoides praeustus, Diplodus vulgaris, Boops Boops and Mullus barbatus, using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results show that the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cr ranged from 1.17 to 7.87, 2.03 to 6.50, 1.43 to 4.00, 1.17 to 2.47, 1.43 to 9.33, 2.17 to 3.60, and 2.23 to 5.17 µg/g, respectively. dry weight, in descending order. The results show that the concentration of Fe, Cu, and Zn were within the permitted limits; however, the concentration of Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr exceeded the allowed limits. The evaluation of metal sources in fish tissue was conducted using correlation analysis, the principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis. The findings demonstrate that the presence of these contaminants is linked to human activities and the discharge of lubricants in fishing areas.