Trace element concentrations in tropical marine fish from the Bay of Bengal

A survey of metal levels present in ten different species of important commercial fish of the Bay of Bengal is reported. The concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc, strontium and rubidium were measured on dry weight basis in the fish flesh of all species by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Analytical quality was determined by analysis of standard reference material MA-A-3(TM), fish flesh homogenate and MA-B-3(TM), fish tissue lyophilised prepared by the International Laboratory of Marine Radioactivity of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Monaco. In most cases the results are similar to data published on fish from other marine environment. Concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in all these species are below the standard of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (ANHMRC) for these elements in foodstuffs. The health risks associated with the presence of toxic metals in these species are discussed.