Detection of some heavy metals in fish (Tilapia nilotica and Clarias lazera) at Menofia governorate

Shaltout A. Fahim1, Hashim F. Mohammed2, El-nahas-Saber

Abstract

A grand total of eighty random samples of Tilapia nilotica and Clarias lazera (40 of each) were collected after catching in Shebin El-kom, Menofia Governorate. The samples were directly transferred to the laboratory for determination of their contents of mercury, lead and cadmium. The evaluation revealed that the mean values of mercury concentration (mg/kg) in the examined fresh water fish were 0.46 ± 0.03 mg/ kg for Tilapia nilotica and 0.52 ± 0.04 mg/ kg for Clarias lazera. Furthermore, the mean values of lead concentration (mg/kg) in the examined samples of Tilapia nilotica and Clarias lazera were 0.08 ± 0.02 and 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/ kg, respectively. In addition, the mean values of cadmium concentration in the examined samples of fresh water fish were 0.10 ± 0.01 mg / kg for Tilapia nilotica and 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/ kg for Clarias lazera. The public health importance of such heavy metal residues were discussed.

Key words

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, heavy metals, contamination.