COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HEAVY METALS IN THE MUSCLE OF TWO EDIBLE FINFISH SPECIES IN AND AROUND INDIAN SUNDARBANS

Abstract

We analyzed the concentrations of zinc, copper, and lead in the muscle of two commercially important finfish species namely, Pampus argenteus and Scatophagus argus in and around the World Heritage site of Indian Sundarbans from 8th to 15th July 2021 using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The sequence of bioaccumulation of the selected metals is as per the order Zn > Cu > Pb irrespective of the species. The degree of metal accumulation showed variation between the species with the highest value in Scatophagus argus followed by Pampus argenteus, which may be related to the difference in their food habit or degree of exposure to ambient media contaminated with heavy metals.