Determination of Heavy Metal (Cd, Zn, Pb and Cd) in Bivalve Mollusk Species using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS)

The levels of heavy metals Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were determine in the soft tissue of bivalve mollusks from two different states of wet markets which are Kelantan and Johor. The sample obtained were Anadara granosa (kerang), Meretrix meretrix (kepah) and Tijah from Pasar Siti Khadijah, Kota Bharu Kelantan. While Anadara granosa (kerang), Meretrix meretrix (kepah), and Perna viridis (kupang) from Pasar Awam Batu Pahat Johor which are commonly consume by the local people. The tissue samples were analyzed by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The result showed that the concentration of Zn was the highest among the heavy metals found in the mollusks species with the range of 38.987 - 66.347 μg/g. Cu concentration was the highest (2.013 μg/g and 3.113 μg/g) in both Anadara granosa tissues. Cd shows the highest concentration in kepah (1.870 μg/g) among all the bivalve mollusks. Overall, the level of heavy metals concentrations in bivalve shellfish from Pasar Siti Khadijah and Pasar Awam Batu Pahat was highest in kepah. The concentration of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were compared with permissible limit set by Malaysian Food Regulation 1985. Cu and Zn concentration were accumulated lower than the permissible limit, except Pb that was exceeding the safety limit set which are only 2 μg/g. Consumption of kepah should be reduced as the Cd concentration was also exceed the safety limit set. Meanwhile, comparison with other permissible limit of toxic metals in different countries also indicate the values of Cu and Zn concentration were within the limit except Pb. The pattern of metal concentrations within the whole tissue of Anadara granosa, Meretrix meretrix, Perna viridis and Tijah from Pasar Siti Khadijah and Pasar Awam Batu Pahat can be presented as Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd.