Heavy Metals In Edible Intertidal Molluscs From The Middle East Coast Of Sumatera In Regard Of Its Distribution And Safe Human Consumption

Abstract

Determination of Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations in the soft tissues of edible intertidal molluscs collected from six locations in the midle east coast of Sumatera has been carried out in order to evaluate its concentration, pollution level and safe limit for human consumption. Heavy metals content analysis was carried out by using AAS Perkin Elmer 3110 in Marine Chemistry Laboratory Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Riau. The results of the study showed that samples collected from the station with more anthropogenic and industrial activities exhibited higher concentration of metals than those from areas with less anthropogenic activities. The lowest metal concentrations were detected in Anadara granosa from Karimun waters whilst the highest concentrations were found in Strombus canarium from Batam waters. The PTWI limits would only be reached when people consumed more than 4.893; 4.590 dan 5.071 kg /week of blood cockle from Bagansiapiapi, Asahan and Karimun and 1.302 and 3.092 kg/week for Strombus canarium from Batam and Geloina coaxan from Selat Panjang waters respectively. Therefore the consumption of blood cockle from those areas was considered to be safe and there would be no risk for human consumption.