CONCENTRATIONS OF HEAVY METALS (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, AND Cu) IN MUSCLES, LIVER AND GILLS OF ADULT SARDINELLA ALBELLA (VALENCIENNES, 1847) FROM GWADAR WATER OF BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Fish samples of Sardinella albella were collected seasonally from Balochistan coast during (Pre-monsoon, Monsoon, Post-monsoon) season in (January 2012 - December 2012). The maximum mean length (cm) and weight (g) of the fish were (20.1 ± 0.29 cm) and (93.13 ± 1.9g) in Monsoon season and the lowest mean length (18.5 ± 0.58cm) and weight (82 ± 3.60 g) were measured in Pre-monsoon season. Determinations of heavy metals were made by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AA Analyst). The highest mean concentration of Fe (496.43 ± 41.79µg/g), Mn (9.42 ± 0.81µg/g), Zn (66.22 ± 7.06µg/g), Pb (2.42 ± 0.21 µg/g), and Cu (14.69 ± 2.30µg/g) were recorded in liver. The lowest mean concentration of Fe (3.82 ± 0.91µg/g), Mn (1.41 ± 0.62µg/g), Zn (1.88 ± 0.25µg/g), Cd (0.64 ± 0.16 µg/g), Pb (0.35 ± 0.06 µg/g), and Cu (1.69 ± 0.14µg/g) were recorded in fish muscles. Metals concentration didn’t vary seasonally and following trends of metal concentrations were observed in various organs of S. albella. Muscles: Fe > Zn > Mn > Cd > Pb Liver: Fe > > Zn > Cu > Mn > Pb > Cd Gills: Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cd > Pb