Assessment of heavy metals in cultivated fish (Channa Striatus and Oreochromis Niloticus) from Agropark UMK, Jeli, Kelantan

Heavy metal pollution has become a major problem that must be addressed. Heavy metal pollution may have direct effects on humans through the food chain as it affects aquatic organisms. By virtue of their position in the aquatic food chain, fish can acquire metals from any sediment, water, or food they meet. Muscle tissues are metabolically active tissues that tend to accumulate large amounts of heavy metals, and this may be important information for this study to provide additional information on environmental health hazards in the studied species. Thus, the objectives of this study are to determine the concentration of metals (Cd, Cu,Pb, and Zn) in Channa striatus and Oreochromis niloticus and to analyse the possible health risks associated with the accumulation of heavy metals through the consumption of the species by using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ). Heavy metals concentration in fish samples has been analysed by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that the concentration of heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, andPb in fish tissue in both species, namely Channa striatus and Oreochromis niloticus, could not be detected, while only the concentration of Zn could be detected, but was still below the set limit. The findings indicate a heavy metal concentration of Zn of 0.26 mg/kg for Channa striatus and 0.18 mg/kg for Oreochromis niloticus). The results of the study show that the heavy metal content contained in the fish in the Agropark UMK Jeli pond is very little because of the abundant Hydrilla verticillata growth in the pond. Heavy metals in fish might give more helpful information for the monitoring of heavy metals in the aquatic environment and are vital for the improvement of human health.