Heavy metals in the grouper fish<i>Epinephelus coioides</i>from the coast of Bahrain: an assessment of monthly and spatial trends

Abstract

Concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe, Mn and Ni were determined in samples of the grouper fish Epinephelus coioides from four stations in Bahrain, Arabian Gulf. The analyses were performed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The overall mean levels for Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were 1.2, 3.9, 3.2, 2.2, 4.4, 10.8 and 499 μg g−1 wet weight, respectively. The general pattern of occurrence in order of decreasing concentration was Zn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Fe > Mn > Cd. The concentration of Zn was only significantly higher in all stations compared with other metals. Nearly all metals analyzed from the four stations exhibited monthly variations. Comparatively, the concentrations of metals obtained in the present study were similar to corresponding values for E. coioides from other areas in the Arabian Gulf, with the exception of Pb and Zn, which were higher. Generally, the levels of metals in the fish were lower than existing guidelines, except for Pb and Zn. The provisional tolerable weekly intake of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn through E. coioides was estimated to be 0.88, 2.8, 2.3, 1.6, 3.2, 7.9 and 366 μg/kg bodyweight per week, respectively. Based on the present investigation, trace metal studies are of paramount importance to find out the health implication of these pollutants on Bahraini citizens.