Original Articles
B. Prabhu Dass Batvari, S. Kam
Abstract
We present the results from a detailed study based on five metals (Cr, Cd, Zn, Pb and Fe) measured in four organs (gills, liver, intestine and muscle) of two fish species (Labeo rohita and Cirrhina mrigala) collected from Pulicat lake that receives effluents from industries located in north Chennai, southeast coast of India. The results show limited differences between the two species and organs as well as significant variations within the five analyzed metals. Although the metal concentrations measured in fish muscle are low, high levels of Fe and Pb were observed in the liver and gills followed by other organs of the two fish species. The concentrations of heavy metals in edible parts (muscle) of fish were within the permissible levels and are safe for the human consumption. However the results of the study clearly show the biomagnifications of metals in Pulicat lake.