Abstract
Samples of the muscle and liver of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were obtained from a single reservoir in each of three Sri Lankan catchments (Kaudulla, Rajanganaya, and Udawalawe reservoirs in the Mahaweli, Kala Oya, and Walawe Ganga river basins, respectively) in 2002. The concentrations of 12 elements were consistently detected in the tilapia muscle and liver (Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr and Zn). However, a three factorial principal components analysis suggested that there were no differences in the metal profiles (range of elements and concentration) of the fish obtained from any of the three reservoirs, although the chemistries of each tissue (muscle and liver) were different. Metal concentrations were below WHO and Food Standards Australia and New Zealand guideline values, and substantial quantities of tilapia would need to be consumed each week on a regular basis to exceed intake limits (e.g. more than 1.5 kg to exceed intake lits for Cu), suggesting consumption of tilapia from these reservoirs poses little risk to human health.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (Project No. 9440), by the award of a Japanese Government Research Award for Foreign Specialists to G.A, and by the Department of Primary Industries (Project #08271). We are also grateful to the support given to us by the fishermen and their families.
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Allinson, G., Salzman, S.A., Turoczy, N. et al. Trace Metal Concentrations in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Three Catchments, Sri Lanka. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 82, 389–394 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9580-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9580-9