Bioaccumulation of Cu and Pb in freshwater fish samples from Sungai Kelantan

Abstract

This study determine the level of copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) in the meat and gills of freshwater fish from 3 different locations along Sungai Kelantan. Sampling was carried out in wet and season and the fish were caught using gill nets. The bioconcentration of heavy metals were determined using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Highest mean concentrations of Pb in meat of fish during the wet and dry seasons are 0.027±0.036 mg/kg (S3) and 0.064±0.020 (S1), while for Cu are 0.028±0.028 mg/kg (S3) and 0.038±0.009 (S1). Highest mean concentrations of Pb in gills during the wet and dry seasons are 0.031±0.006 mg/kg (S3) and 0.064±0.020 (S1), while for Cu are 0.03±0.005 mg/kg (S3) and 0.038±0.009 (S1). The level of Pb and Cu showed significant different (p < 0.05) in gills of fish during monsoon seasons, which not exceed the permissible limit of heavy metals according to MFA and FAO.

Keywords: Sungai Kelantan; heavy metals; freshwater fish; water quality