Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentrations in Grouper Fish from Kertih Terminal and Tanjung Sulong Port

Abstract

Continuous exposure of heavy metals can lead to accumulation in fish and causes serious threats to human via food chain. Thus, the detection of heavy metal contamination in aquatic component is vital. The concentration of some heavy metals such as Pb, Cr and Zn in fish were determined. Grouper fish was collected from Kertih Terminal and Tanjung Sulong Port coastal area. The highest average level of heavy metal documented in fish is Pb followed by Cr, and Zn. The metal contamination found in this study was lower than WHO (1985) permissible limit except for Pb from Kertih and Tanjung Sulong bone sampling which is 2.0572 ppm and 2.0406 ppm, respectively, slightly exceeded MFR (2014) and FDA (2001) limit. In this work, only one time sampling was carried out. Thus, it is suggested to perform continuous monitoring to provide useful information regarding environmental situation.