Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Tissues and Organs of Three Commercial Fish Species at Al-Hudaydah, Red Sea Coast of Western Yemen

It is well known that the fish remains one of the most popular staple foods not only for the coastal communities but also globally. It is consumed by many people of the world because it has high protein content and a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3fatty acids which are important for our diet albeit our bodies cannot make them from scratch because they support normal metabolism and good health. The occurrence of heavy metals in fish from certain coastal areas has become a major cause of concern in many countries. An assessment of heavy metals contamination in three fish species (Arius sp., T. tanggol and Mugil sp.) were made by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The heavy metals examined in fish under this investigation namely: Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd) and Manganese (Mn). Results indicated that fish species revealed variations among heavy metal contents in both tissues and organs. All metals in white muscles (tissues) ranged between 0.6-7.25, 1.75-7.95 and 1.50-6.55 μg/g dry wt., for Arius sp., T. tanggol and Mugil sp. respectively. Similarly, the total heavy metals concentration from the fish under this investigation can be ordered as follows: Arius sp.>T. tanggol >Mugil sp. i.e.109.35, 106.00 and 96.20 μg/g dry wt. respectively. Results obtained from fish organs indicated that the three fish species exhibited variations in heavy metal concentrations. Although, values of heavy metals obtained from tissues in the present study were within the acceptable worldwide range, however, they were lower than those reported in parts from other regions of the world which are considered as polluted areas. The occurrence of heavy metals in tissues and organs of the examined species may be due to the anthropogenic activities, feeding behavior of the fish species, fat content and of any other environmental factors in the study area. Moreover, the difference in heavy metal accumulation in different organs may be due to the differences in their physiological and biochemical functions. In order to control the heavy metals pollution in this area further and continuous critical investigations are urgently needed.