Arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in rocky shore organisms from the coast of Terengganu

Abstract

The objectives of this study was to determine the concentration and distribution of arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in the tissue of rock oysters, limpets, Thais sp and barnacles from the coast ofTerengganu, to study the relationship between the location of sampling stations with heavy metal content and the relationship between the size of organisms with heavy metal content. Analysis of metals indicated that arsenic distributed more than me r cury in tissue of study organisms. The r e was no correlation between concentration of As and Hg with every sampling station due to the different environment and sources of contamination in every sampling station. Also, no correlation stated between different sizes of organisms with As and Hg content in their tissues. This probably due to the characteristic of As and Hg as non-essential metals and toxicant. Based on data achieved, all study organisms in every sampling station were contaminated with As while Hg concentration was acceptable in safety limit. As concentration through this study showed values ranged from 1.30-4.12 µgig wet weight that exceeded the permissible limit (1 µgig wet weight) established by the Malaysian Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 Fourteen Schedule. Previous studies have lack of data on As and Hg in Malaysia due to the difficulties of analysis.