Abstract

BIOACCUMULATION OF CADMIUM AND LEAD CONTENT IN SELECTED FISH ORGANS: A RISK ASSESSMENT STUDY IN WATER BODIES OF SRIKALAHASTI

Dr. P. Manohar* and Dr. G. Swathi

Abstract

Fish meat is a perfect foodstuff which is up to standard of rational nourishment. It is source of healthy and good digestible material rich on proteins, minerals and vitamins. Fish muscles especially back and lateral muscles are the most important parts of fish excellent for human consumption. Proteins in fish meat are rich on high amino acids content. The content of fish fat is usually low with the high the high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. Also minerals and B, A and d vitamins are important component of this foodstuff. According to rational nourishment the fish meat should be consumed minimal 2 times weekly. The presence of heavy metals in the aquatic environment due to human activities is a major concern because of their toxicity and threat to animal and plant life, thus disturbing the natural ecological balance (Bhattacharya et.al; 2008). The source of heavy metals in aquatic environment is due to industrialization and unscientific agricultural practice discharge the effluents into nearby water bodies either directly or through run off. Many metals like cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) can bio accumulate in food chain. Bio accumulation of metals reflects the amount of ingested by the organisms, the way in which the metals were distributed among the different tissue and the extent to which the metals are retained in each tissue type (Murugan etal: 2008). In light of the above this study seeks to address issues pertaining to the bio accumulation of some heavy metals cadmium and lead in different tissues of edible fish species collected from Thondamanadu water tank/pond which drains water and other pollutants into swarnamukhi River surrounding srikalahasti town. In the present investigation the bio accumulation of both cadmium and lead heavy metal levels in various organs of different fish species studied are within the tolerable limits for human consumption and are in compliance to the standard levels specified by WHO/FAO and FSSAI. In the present study the accumulated levels of pb and cd in the liver is more followed by gills and muscles of different fish species.

Keywords: Cadmium, lead, pollutants.