Heavy metals residues of public health significance in some freshwater fish farmed in Kafr-El Sheikh and Menofia governorates

The main objective of the current study was to estimate the levels of heavy metals residues in the flesh of farmed freshwater fish and fresh water samples collected from different localities. Fifty random fresh fish samples (20 cultured, Oreochromis niloticus, 20 cultured African catfish and 10 cultured Mugil cephalus) and 30 fresh water samples were collected from Kafr-El Sheikh governorate Moreover, forty fish samples (20, cultured Oreochromis niloticus and 20 cultured African catfish) and 20 water samples were collected from Menofia governorate. The fish samples were collected from the same sites and at the same times where water samples were collected throughout two successive years of (2013-2014). Collected cultured fresh fish and water samples were analyzed for heavy metal residues using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results indicated that the concentration of Mercury, Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic residues in fresh water were higher than their levels in fish flesh samples under the study. Also the results indicated that the concentration of Mercury, Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic residues in both fresh water and fish flesh samples in Menofia were higher than their levels in Kafr- El Sheikh. The results revealed that the concentration of Mercury, Lead, Cadmuim and Arsenic residues in the flesh of cultred African catfish were higher than the permissible limits recommended by E.O.S.Q.C (2010) and FAO/WHO (1992) in both governorates under the study and the least concentration of such heavy metals residues was found to be in flesh of cultured Oreochromis niloticus followed by cultured Mugil cephalus.
The main objective of the current study was to estimate the levels of heavy metals residues in the flesh of farmed freshwater fish and fresh water samples collected from different localities. Fifty random fresh fish samples (20 cultured, Oreochromis niloticus, 20 cultured African catfish and 10 cultured Mugil cephalus) and 30 fresh water samples were collected from Kafr-El Sheikh governorate Moreover, forty fish samples (20, cultured Oreochromis niloticus and 20 cultured African catfish) and 20 water samples were collected from Menofia governorate. The fish samples were collected from the same sites and at the same times where water samples were collected throughout two successive years of (2013-2014). Collected cultured fresh fish and water samples were analyzed for heavy metal residues using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results indicated that the concentration of Mercury, Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic residues in fresh water were higher than their levels in fish flesh samples under the study. Also the results indicated that the concentration of Mercury, Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic residues in both fresh water and fish flesh samples in Menofia were higher than their levels in Kafr- El Sheikh. The results revealed that the concentration of Mercury, Lead, Cadmuim and Arsenic residues in the flesh of cultred African catfish were higher than the permissible limits recommended by E.O.S.Q.C (2010) and FAO/WHO (1992) in both governorates under the study and the least concentration of such heavy metals residues was found to be in flesh of cultured Oreochromis niloticus followed by cultured Mugil cephalus.