Assessment of heavy metal’s in Atlantic sea fish sold in Benin

Abstract

Marine space is constantly threatened by various sources of pollution that may reduce its economic potential and have negative repercussions on human health. This study aims to assess heavy metals contamination of eight fish species and their impact on human health. Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in fresh, cooked and fried fish. The results found in fresh fish (cadmium: 0.002 to 0.005 mg / kg, lead: 0 to 0.031 mg / kg, copper: 0.0045 to 0.305 mg / kg, zinc: 0.1245 to 0.6195 mg / kg), in cooked fish (cadmium: 0.0035 to 0.005 mg / kg, lead: 0 to 0.01 mg / kg, copper: 0 to 0.021 mg / kg, zinc: 0.171 to 0.327 mg / kg) and in fried fish (cadmium: 0.004 mg / kg, lead: 0 to 0.007 mg / kg, copper: 0 to 0.016 mg / kg, zinc: 0.0875 to 0.5065 mg / kg) showed that heavy metal levels are all below the standard values accepted by FAO / WHO. The consumption of these fish could therefore have no negative effect on the population’s health. Both types of cooking have both positive and negative effects on the heavy metal reduction in fish species. Although the concentrations of heavy metals are not worrying, the vigilance of the populations and a variation of the diet are important to guarantee a better health.

Keywords: Heavy metals, health impact, Atlantic see fish, Cotonou.