Bioaccumulation patterns of heavy metals in pelagic and demersal fishes of the gulf of kachchh

Abstract

This study assessed the bioaccumulation of four heavy metals-Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), and Chromium (Cr) in sixteen commercially important marine fish species with varied feeding habits collected from four coastal locations (Kandla, Mundra, Mandvi, and Pingleshwar) in the Gulf of Kachchh, India. Muscle, gill, liver, and intestine tissues were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations. Results revealed that Pb and Cd were detected in all fish tissues across all locations, with concentrations exceeding permissible limits for human consumption (0.5 mg/kg). The highest concentrations were observed in samples from Kandla, followed by Mundra, Pingleshwar, and Mandvi coasts. Concentrations of Pb ranged from 3.6±2.47 to 60.3±0.26 mg/kg, while Cd ranged from 0.409±1.15 to 4.950±1.28 mg/kg. Ni and Cr were below detectable levels in most samples except those from Mandvi coast. The rate of bioaccumulation was higher in muscle and gills compared to liver and intestine.