Evaluation of heavy metals contamination in rabbit fish (signus sutor) from selected landing sites in Zanzibar, Tanzania
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene
Abstract
The increase of heavy metals concentrations in aquatic and terrestrial environments and
their toxicity is of global concern. The bioaccumulation of toxic metals in fish poses a
serious risk to human health when consumed. This study assessed the quality of Rabbit
fish (Signus Sutor) and their associated health risks from four landing sites (namely
Malindi, Mazizini, Kizimkazi and Matemwe) in Zanzibar. The concentrations of toxic
metals, including Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni),
and Arsenic (As), in the fish muscle were scrutinized using inductively coupled plasma
optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The detected mean concentration (mg/kg) of Pb,
As, Cr, Cd, Cu, and Ni at Malindi were 0.25±0.14, 2.22±0.44, 0.02±0.02, 0.01±0.00, 0.02±0.02
and 0.00±0.00 respectively; at Kizimkazi were 0.39±0.39, 2.30±0.44, 0.11±0.01, 0.07±0.04,
0.17±0.13 and 0.15±0.04 respectively: at Matemwe were 0.38±0.12, 0.52±0.14, 0.04±0.02,
0.05±0.01, 0.65±0.21 and 0.09±0.03 respectively; and Mazizini were 0.21±0.12, 5.56±1.37,
0.02±0.02, 0.03±0.01, 0.05±0.02 and 0.15±0.05 respectively. The mean concentration levels
detected for all the elements in the fish gathered from all four landing sites were below
international and local maximum (FAO/WHO) permissible limits for human
consumption, except for Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb). The study also investigated the
relationship between fish size and metal concentration which shows a positive correlation
for Cu and Ni. However, it was negative for the remaining metals, possibly due to
ecological and metabolic differences. The study emphasizes the necessity for regular
monitoring of the marine environment and enforcement of hygienic regulations, as well as
the treatment of land-based pollutants before they are discharged into the marine
environment to protect fish quality
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Heavy metal, Pollution, Bioaccumulation, Fish quality, Food safety, Health risk
Citation
Nassor Mohamed Z, Issa-Zacharia A, Nyamete F. Evaluation of heavy metals contamination in Rabbit Fish (Signus Sutor) from selected landing sites in Zanzibar, Tanzania. J food safe & hyg 2023; 9 (4): 252-267. DOI: 10.18502/jfsh.v9i4.15001