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Toxic metals in Perna viridis mussel and surface seawater in Pasir Gudang coastal area, Malaysia, and its health implications

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Abstract

Contamination of toxic metals in P. viridis mussels has been prevalently reported; hence, health risk assessment for consuming this aquaculture product as well as the surrounding surface seawater at its harvesting sites appears relevant. Since Kampung Pasir Puteh, Pasir Gudang is the major harvesting site in Malaysia, and because the last heavy metal assessment was done in 2009, its current status remains unclear. Herein, flame atomic absorption spectrometry and flow injection mercury/hydride system were used to determine the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and total Hg in P. viridis mussels and surface seawater (January–March 2015), respectively. Significantly higher concentrations of these metals were found in P. viridis mussels (p < 0.05) than that of surface seawater samples. The concentrations for Pb (4.27–6.55 μg/g) and Cd (1.55–2.21 μg/g) in P. viridis mussels exceeded the maximum permitted proportion prescribed by the Malaysian law. The concentrations of all metals in surface seawater also violated the Malaysia Marine Water Quality Criteria and Standards. Significant (p < 0.05) and high strength of association (r = 0.787) observed between Pb concentration in P. viridis mussel with the surface seawater indicates its possible application for inferring Pb concentrations in the mussel. Since both the calculated target hazard quotient and hazard index for Pb and Cd exceeded 1, the possible detrimental health impacts on human for consuming P. viridis mussels from this rearing site cannot be ignored. Hence, promoting continuous monitoring programmes and developing efficient toxic metal removal techniques prior to entering the market are required.

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Acknowledgements

Clerical assistance provided by Miss Aida Rasyidah Azman is appreciated.

Funding

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia for provided research grants (Q.J130000.2526.12H51 and Q.J130000.2526.16H14).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

    Naji Arafat Mahat, Nor Kamilah Muktar, Razali Ismail, Fazira Ilyana Abdul Razak, Roswanira Abdul Wahab & Aemi Syazwani Abdul Keyon

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  1. Naji Arafat Mahat
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  2. Nor Kamilah Muktar
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  3. Razali Ismail
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Correspondence to Naji Arafat Mahat or Aemi Syazwani Abdul Keyon.

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Mahat, N.A., Muktar, N.K., Ismail, R. et al. Toxic metals in Perna viridis mussel and surface seawater in Pasir Gudang coastal area, Malaysia, and its health implications. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 30224–30235 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3033-8

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