A preliminary study of metal accumulation in fish from Cimanuk and Cimandiri, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Fish is known to be a source of animal protein consisting of low cholesterol and non fatty acid. It also promotes sustainable consumption in coastal communities. Metal contamination in aquatic bodies, particularly rivers and oceans, is made more likely by anthropogenic factors. Metal may accumulate in fish as a result of the food web, posing a health risk to humans. Metal contamination in ingested fish should be monitored as part of risk mitigation. The goal of this research was to investigate six elements (Cr, Cu, Se, Pb, Cd, and As) in the edible tissues of fish from Cimanuk and Cimandiri, West Java. Karangsong and Palabuhan Ratu were two locus of fishing ports in Cimanuk and Cimandiri, respectively. In April of 2017, commercial demersal fish were obtained. Three fish from Palabuhan ratu and four fish from Karangsong were captured. Metal analysis was conducted using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES). The results revealed that the non-essential elements such as cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) had exceeded the permissible limits of the BPOM. Practically, organic arsenic (arsenobetain) is the most common arsenic found in fish (90-95%), and relatively safe compared to inorganic arsenic. Indications of Cd enrichment can come from anthropogenic factors and reinforce the necessity for environmental monitoring of habitats around fishing areas. Essential metals like selenium, copper, and chromium are maintained at a certain concentration based on metabolic activity and vary according to fish body homeostasis.