Abstract

The objective of the present study is to analyse quantitatively toxic metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) in nineteen marine fish samples of thirteen species. The muscle of fish samples were freeze dried, digested by microwave digestion and finally analysed by AAS. The level of toxic metals varied significantly among fish species and showed that As, Cd, Pb, Cr and Hg levels of mean values were 0.03, 0.04, 0.20, 0.59 and 0.19 mg/kg, respectively. The range of As, Cd, Pb, Cr and Hg in fresh samples were ND-0.04, ND-0.19, 0.06-0.35, 0.42-0.78 and 0.01-0.61 mg/kg fresh weight, respectively. All the values were below the permitted limit set by FAO/WHO standard for each toxic metal except C. carati and L. equulus those contain Cr in excess and E. Tetradactylum that contain Hg in excess level. Quantitative analysis reveals that the marine fish samples are less contaminated than fresh water fish in Bangladesh.