HEAVY METALS ACCUMULATION ON COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT MARINE EDIBLE SPECIES COLLECTED FROM LOCAL FISH MARKET, COIMBATORE, TAMILNADU, INDIA

The marine animals such as Lethrinus nebulosus (Vilaimeen), Sardinella longiceps (Sardine), Penaeus monodon (Tiger prawn), Fenneropenaeus indicus (Indian prawn), Portunus pelagicus (Blue crab) and Red crab (Cancer pagurus) were collected from the local whole sale fish market at Ukkadam, Coimbatore to evaluate the heavy metals accumulation in muscle tissues of selected marine edible species. The edible part that is muscle tissues of the selected fish, prawn and crab were carefully dissected for determination of seven heavy metals such as lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd) and magnesium (Mg).The level of metals accumulated were analyzed through the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS).The results showed that the highest concentration of metals were recorded in prawn and crab muscles. The Pb and Cr levels were the maximum in blue crab and red crab and maximum Cd level was recorded in Indian prawn and tiger prawn. The lowest level of other metals like Hg, Mo, Zn and Mg were observed in all the muscle samples. Among all the samples, red crab and blue crab exhibited maximum accumulation of Lead (2.86 and 3.85ppm) and Chromium (12.80 and 20.0ppm). Lead and cadmium are toxic and non-essential to human beings and other animals whereas chromium is non-toxic and essential to human beings but in high concentration these can be toxic. These concentrations were above the maximum level recommended by regulatory agencies and depending on daily intake by consumers, might represent a risk for human health.