Concentration of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in squid, L. chenesis landed at Pengkalan Maras, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals in squid, L. chinensis landed at Pengkalan Maras, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu in 3 consecutive months 12 May, 22 June and 22 July (25 squids sample). The aims of this study are to provide information on the concentration of heavy metals As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in bone, internal organs, tentacles and mantle in Loligo chinensis species and estimate the "Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake" (PTWl) of respective metal by humans. The concentration was measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Each sample contains As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in the range of 46.1-1017. l µg/kg, 1.3-571.7 µg/kg, 0.3-100.7 µg/kg and 0.5-52.5 µg/kg dry weight respectively. Range of heavy metals were lower than the maximum level issued by the F AO /WHO (2004). The concentration of heavy metals in the selective L. chinensis tissue is in descending order; As> Cd> Hg> Pb. PTWI rate also shows that the concentration of heavy metals in the organs of the L. chinensis are in line and under standard had issued by F AO. Therefore, L. chinensis that landed in Pengkalan Maras are safe to be consume by human in terms of selected heavy metal concentrations.