Heavy metal concentration in some freshwater fishes during autumn and winter in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh

Abstract

Study was conducted to determine the heavy metal concentration in 5 freshwater fishes Heteropneustes fossilis, Clarias batrachus, Anabus testudineus, Oreochromis niloticus, and Mystus gulio during autumn and winter. Most widely eaten five freshwater fish species were selected for this purpose. These fish species were Among the heavy metals estimated in this study (Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn) the Cd, Cu, Zn were within the acceptable level but Cr and Pb concentration was above the maximum allowable limit. The Cd, Cr, Pb concentration in the fish muscle was higher in winter as compared to that of autumn but the Cu and Zn concentration was higher in autumn when compared to that of winter. Result of the present research indicates that the heavy metal concentration in fish muscle significantly varies with season. Some heavy metal were within the acceptable level in autumn season but above the maximum allowable limit in winter season. In H. fossilis, C. batrachus, and O. niloticus, heavy metal concentration was within the acceptable level but in A. testudineus and M. gulio heavy metal concentration was above the maximum allowable limit. So heavy metal concentration varied with season as well as with species of fish.