The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 16 No 3 (2012): 346 - 352

ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS IN WATER AND FISH (Tilapia sp.)

SAMPLES FROM TASIK MUTIARA, PUCHONG
(Analisis Logam Berat Dalam Sampel Air dan Ikan (Tilapia Sp.) Tasik Mutiara,
Puchong)
Ismaniza Ismail*, Idaliza Mat Saleh
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Abstract The concentrations of seven heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) were detected in muscle tissues
of Tilapia sp (black tilapia) collected from the lake of Taman Mutiara, Puchong. Samples were collected for several
months in the end of 2009 at three sampling points. Heavy metals in fish and water samples were analyzed by
Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Only Al, Cu, Fe and Zn were detected in
the order Fe > Zn > Al > Cu, whereas concentrations of As, Cd and Pb were below the detection limit. The
concentrations of heavy metals in water samples were low and below the detection limit. The levels of heavy metals
in the fish samples can be considered as a serious matter of concern as it may be consumed and it signifies the
degradation of lake quality. Generally, the sources of heavy metals in the Tasik Mutiara, Puchong could be attributed
to the illegal waste dumping activity and discharge from the nearby sewage treatment plant into the lake which
promote eutrophication in the lake. It could also be attributed to the Low Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels in the lake.
Keywords: biomagnification, fish, heavy metals, lake
Abstrak Kepekatan tujuh jenis logam berat (Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe,
Pb and Zn) telah dikesan di dalam tisu otot ikan Tilapia sp (tilapia hitam) yang disampel dari Tasik Taman Mutiara,
Puchong. Pensampelan telah dibuat selama beberapa bulan pada penghujung tahun 2009 di tiga ‘spot’ lokasi
tersebut. Kepekatan logam berat di dalam ikan dan air tasik telah dianalisa dengan menggunakan Inductively
Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Didapati kepekatan Al, Cu, Fe dan Zn yang dikesan
adalah dalam susunan Fe > Zn > Al > Cu, manakala logam As, Cd dan Pb adalah terlalu sedikit dan tidak dapat
dikesan. Jumlah logam berat di dalam sampel ikan boleh dianggap sesuatu yang serius kerana ia mungkin dimakan
oleh pemancing-pemancing dan ia menunjukkan kemerosotan kualiti tasik. Kepekatan logam berat di dalam sampel
air tasik juga tidak dapat dikesan kerana terlalu sedikit. Secara umumnya, sumber logam berat di Tasik Mutiara,
Puchong mungkin berpunca daripada aktiviti pelupusan sisa secara haram dan effluen daripada sistem pengolahan
air kumbahan yang berhampiran yang menggalakkan proses eutrofikasi di dalam tasik tersebut. Ia juga boleh
dikaitkan dengan nilai Oksigen Terlarut yang rendah di dalam tasik tersebut.
Kata kunci: biomagnifikasi, ikan, logam berat, tasik
Introduction Fish are often at the top of the aquatic food
chain and many concentrate large amount of heavy metals from polluted water that build up by ingestion,
ion-exchange of dissolved metals across lipophilic membranes and absorption on tissue and membrane
surface [1,2].For four consecutive years since 2006, six cases of enormous floating dead fish at Tasik
Mutiara Puchong have been reported to the Department of Environment (DOE) and Subang Jaya
Municipal Council (MPSJ). Besides the concern on biodiversity depletion, the cases also resulted in many
complaints from the nearby residents regarding the unsightly phenomenon and unbearable smell.
346
Ismaniza et al: ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS IN WATER AND FISH (Tilapia sp.) SAMPLES FROM
TASIK MUTIARA, PUCHONG
Despite the fact that metal biomagnification is influenced by metal assimilation, pollutants can still move
through the various trophic levels in an ecosystem [3] and results in higher concentrations of the
substance than would be expected if water were the only exposure mechanism. At the highest trophic
levels, the increased concentrations in tissues may become toxic. This research aims to provide a
baseline study to the local authority and the enforcement body on the source of pollution in the lake,
hence assisting in the enforcement process. The specific objectives of the project are to identify and
quantify the presence of heavy metals in water and fish in the lake. As water is the habitat of fish, there is
a significance to measure its quality to assess the possible source of contamination contributing to this
problem.
Materials and Methods Study area Fish samples (Tilapia sp.) of
about the same size (length ±5”) were collected at three points; near the effluent discharge from the
sewage treatment plant (S1), near the wastes dumping area (S2) and far from the sewage treatment plant
with little wastes dumping activities (S3) as shown in Figure 2.1. Sampling was conducted at the
frequency of twice a month for three consecutive months, in the morning and in the afternoon, as these
were the common time of effluent discharge from the sewage treatment plant.
347
S3: area far from any significant sources
Figure 1. Sampling location at Tasik Mutiara, Puchong.
Sample collection and preparation Fish samples were caught, placed in plastic bags and immediately
preserved on ice prior to heavy metal analysis to meet the analytical holding times. Fish were weighed
before and after being cut into small pieces and ground well thoroughly to achieve homogeneity. 5 gram
of the sample were put in a 125-mL Erlenmeyer flask, added with 10 mL of concentrated nitric acid and
warmed on a hot plate until the tissue solubilized. The temperature of the hot plate was increased to near
boiling until the solution turned brown. Then, it was allowed to cool and an additional 5 mL of
concentrated nitric acid was added for repeated heating and cooling. Another 2mL of nitric acid was
added before being heated again on the hot plate until the volume of the sample reduced to 10 mL. Once
cooled, 2 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide was added. Once again the sample was heated until the volume
of the sample reduced to 5 to 10 mL. After allowed to cool, another 2 mL of hydrogen peroxide was
added. This step was repeated until a total
Legends
S1: near the sewage treatment plant, paint factory
S2: near the wastes dumping area
The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 16 No 3 (2012): 346 - 352
of 10 mL of hydrogen peroxide was added. After that the sample was allowed to cool before 2 mL of
concentrated hydrochloric acid was added. Then the sample was returned to the hot plate until the
volume of the sample is reduced to 5 to 10 mL. The sample was allowed to cool and transferred into a
100-mL volumetric flask. The sample was then topped-up with deionized water to the mark for ICP-OES
analysis.
Results and Discussion Concentrations of heavy metals in fish
All heavy metals bioccumulated at varying levels on a dry weight basis. Al, Cu, Fe and Zn were detected
by the ICP-OES although concentration of As, Cd and Pb were consistently below the detection limit. The
concentrations of heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) in fish at the three different sampling
points are given in Table 1.
Apparently, the concentration ranges of the metals detected were: Al: 15.4 to 320.6 mg/kg; Cu: 0.17 to
20.8 mg/kg; Fe: 31.9 to 743 mg/kg; and Zn: 45.5 to 86.1 mg/kg. The highest mean concentration of the
heavy metal at all sampling points was Fe, followed by Zn, Al and Cu, as shown in Figure 2.
Table 1. Heavy metals concentration (mg/kg) in fish samples at the three sampling points in throughout
the study period
Point Al As Cd Cu Fe Pb Zn
41.5-89.7 BDL BDL BDL-0.85 66.3-211.1 BDL 56.4-70.7 57.0-100.3 BDL BDL 1.19-2.03 74.1-221.3 BDL
52.4-82.9 S 1 32.0-149 BDL BDL 0.54-1.07 51.3-338.6 BDL 61.1-63.3 27.7-59.4 BDL BDL 0.43-20.8
69.2-142.4 BDL 63.3-72.9 32.6-162.2 BDL BDL 0.35-2.06 69.4-424.9 BDL 59.1-63.0 30.4-320.6 BDL BDL
BDL-5.61 79.7-743.0 BDL 61.1-71.1 23.1-60.9 BDL BDL 0.18-1.46 51.6-141.7 BDL 66.2-86.1 22.8-62.1
BDL BDL 1.54-0.69 69.5-139.3 BDL 55.6-62.5 S 2 29.1-59.5 BDL BDL 1.46-0.62 79.6-120.2 BDL
60.5-71.6 25.1-52.4 BDL BDL 0.18-0.89 49.7-131.9 BDL 50.3-67.5 26.2-136.8 BDL BDL BDL-0.63
66.7-173 BDL 53.8-65.5 28.4-69.6 BDL BDL BDL-1.34 72.0-148.9 BDL 59.1-63.4 20.4-48.4 BDL BDL
BDL-0.17 40.3-108.6 BDL 53.7-64.9 15.4-51.9 BDL BDL BDL-0.29 31.9-139.7 BDL 45.5-59.1 S 3
16.2-35.2 BDL BDL BDL-1.31 46.3-96.45 BDL 55.2-54.2 16.6-43.9 BDL BDL BDL-0.01 34.9-141.2 BDL
48.3-47.4 16.5-69.2 BDL BDL BDL-0.31 36.7-302.7 BDL 50.6-45.7 19.8-47.4 BDL BDL 0.41-1.18
47.8-126.7 BDL 69.8-46.9
*Below detection limit
Fe recorded the highest concentration among the other heavy metals, with 207.61 mg/kg at S1 which was
near the sewage treatment plant and paint factory, followed by 103.67 mg/kg at S2 (near the waste
dumping area) and 96.10 mg/kg at S3. All the readings were very high compared to a similar study in
Egypt [4] of 42.81 mg/kg. Dependent on species, individuals, habitats and sampling period, Fe
concentrations were measured in species with more affinity
348
Ismaniza et al: ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS IN WATER AND FISH (Tilapia sp.) SAMPLES FROM
TASIK MUTIARA, PUCHONG
for rocky bottoms and species with more affinity to sandy or muddy bottom. This situation explains why
the Fe concentrations were high at S1. The water condition was very muddy caused by the effluent
discharge into the lake.
349
Figure 2. Mean concentrations of Al, Cu, Fe and Zn at the sampling location.
The Zn concentrations in Tilapia sp. sampled did not differ much, with 64.78 mg/kg, 63.51 mg/kg and
53.42 mg/kg. Similar to the amount of Zn in Tilapia zilli [4] that was 55.88 mg/kg, they were all found
higher than the permissible level (40 mg/kg) recommended by Western Australian Food and Drink
Regulations. However, they were still below the maximum allowable concentration (100 mg/kg) specified
by the Malaysian Food Act, 1983 (Malaysian Food and Drug Regulation). Zn appears to have a proactive
effect against toxicity of both Cd and Pb [5].
The highest concentration of Al was indicated at S1, followed by S2 and S3 with the concentration 91.87,
49.66 and 33.42 mg/kg respectively. Industrial waste, erosion, dissolution of minerals and salts,
atmospheric dust pollution and rain are the major activities that promote the presence of Al. A previous
study observed the fish mortality in mixing zones of rivers with difference acidizes and elevated levels of
Al [6].
Cu was found highest S1 followed by S2 and S3 with the concentration 3.49, 0.89 and 0.53 mg/kg
respectively. Although it was still below the permissible level (30 mg/kg) of the Malaysian Food Act, 1983
(Malaysian Food and Drug Regulation 1985), they were higher than of those in Tilapia zilli [4,7]. The
toxicity of Cu however depends upon the hardness and pH of water, and therefore, it is more toxic in soft
water and in water with low alkalinity. In this study, As, Cd and Pb concentrations were below the
detection limit where the concentrations were very low. All these three heavy metal are toxic elements
which have no known biological function and show their carcinogenic effect on aquatic biota and humans
[8]. Although Cd detected in low concentration, it normally contained in the most mobile fraction in
sediment and therefore can easily enter or transported to the food chains [9].
When fish are exposed to elevated metal levels in an aquatic environment, they can absorb the
bioavailable metals directly from the environment via the gills and skin or through the ingestion of
contaminated water and food, thus accumulates them in their tissues and enter the food chains and
extent to many other problems to humans [10]. On the other hand, a study on Synodontis clarias
concluded that the highest heavy metal concentration was at Station 1 (rural and agricultural runoff,
continuous discharge of oily wastewaters from the flow station) [2]. In conclusion, the levels of Zn, Cd, Ni,
Pb and Mn observed would have harmful effect on the health of the rural community in the study area.
Sampling sites near large cities usually have significant amount of metal levels, unlike fish tissues from
bog lakes that have very low metal levels, possibly because of the high concentrations of natural organic
matter in these
The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 16 No 3 (2012): 346 - 352
waters [11]. This fact is somehow consistent with other studies in which the varied presence of heavy
metals throughout the lake sites was due to variations in the quantity, sources and mobility of the
sediments [12].
In Malaysia, the consumption of fish is estimated to be 21 kg/person/year or 0.06 kg/day [13]. Many
countries monitor the levels of toxic element in food due to heavy metal toxicity and other serious
contamination of foods. However, the potential hazards of metals transferred to humans are probably
dependent on amount of muscle consumed by an individual.
Concentration of heavy metals in water sample The water samples at each sampling point were also was
taken and analyzed by using ICP-OES. The physio- chemical properties of the water samples were
recorded in the Table 2.
Table 2. The physio-chemical properties of water of lake of Taman Mutiara, Puchong
Sampling point
pH Temperature (oC) Dissolved Oxygen (%)
S1 7.44 - 8.01 31.51-32.17 0.37-0.43 S2 7.38 - 7.85 30.35-31.28 0.75-0.83 S3 7.28 - 8.47 31.55-31.88
1.08-1.27
The pH values of this study (7.28 to 8.01) were in the range of a previous study in Bhopal [8] where the
pH values of water were alkaline (7.2 - 9.8). According to the report, these pH values might be attributed
to sewage water discharge into the lake, which was similar to this study (discharge from the sewage
treatment plant). The temperatures were in the range of 30.42 oC to 32.17oC and varied at the three
points depending on the surrounding factors such as vegetation. The dissolved oxygen concentrations of
the water were very low where the value ranges from 0.37 to 1.27 mg/L, which were lower than of those
in the previous studies at 2.2 to 13.6 mg/L and 7.11 to 8.33 mg/L respectively [8, 14]. Oxygen depletion
might suffocate the fish and other oxygen-consuming organisms, hence resulting in devastating effects on
fish populations.
Equivocally, the concentration of Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn was very low and below the detection
limit. This however is in agreement with a study in Turkey, where the concentration of heavy metals in fish
was high even the concentration of heavy metals in the water was low [15]. In normal metabolism, fish
may uptake heavy metals from water, food or sediment. However, the efficiency of metal uptake from
contaminated water may differ in relation to ecological needs, metabolisms, and the contamination
gradient of water, food and sediment as well as other environmental factors such as salinity, temperature
and interacting agent. Ecological factors such as season, place of development, nutrient availability and
temperature of water may cause inconsistency of metals concentration in the flesh of the fish [13].
Other factors that affect the fish mortality Besides heavy metals from the previous mining operation, the
nearby sewage treatment plant and the illegal waste dumping near the lake were the plausible causes of
the dead fish cases. Inorganic tin compounds may be bioconcentrated by organisms, but data are limited
[16]. Toxic compound from the treatment plant could also be the culprit, that originates from industrial and
commercial sources, stormwater, and inflow and infiltration from cracked pipes and leaky manhole
covers.
The sampling location also showed signs of eutrophication during the study, in which it was covered by
dead aquatic vegetations. Nutrients and organic matter could be from the treated sewage flowing into the
lake. This somehow affected the availability of dissolved oxygen and pH.
350
Ismaniza et al: ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS IN WATER AND FISH (Tilapia sp.) SAMPLES FROM
TASIK MUTIARA, PUCHONG
351
Conclusion The highest concentration of heavy metals
determined in the (Tilapia sp.) fish samples from the lake of Taman Mutiara, Puchong was Fe (31.93 to
743 mg/kg) followed by Al (15.39 to 320.6 mg/kg), Zn (Zn: 45.52 to 86.08 mg/kg) and Cu (0.17 to 20.78
mg/kg). However, the concentrations of As, Cd and Pb determined were very low and below the detection
limit. Apparently, the heavy metals concentrations were determined highest at S1 followed by S2 and S3,
which showed that the discharge from the sewage treatment plant to the lake might be the contributor of
heavy metal accumulation and other possible pollutants in the fish samples. The concentrations of heavy
metals in the water were very low and below the detection limit. The dissolved oxygen concentrations
were very low (1.20 – 1.48 mg/L) and the pH was between 7.28 to 8.47, presumably due to the sewage
discharge into the lake.
Most of the metal levels were lower than the maximum permissible limits of Malaysian Food Act, 1983
(Malaysian Food and Drug Regulation). The heavy metals concentrations in the fish sample might not be
the cause of the massive floating fish. However, bioaccumulation process may cause the concentration of
the heavy metals in the fish muscle become higher in the future and may kill the fish in the lake. Another
possible factor that contributes to the dead fish in the lake is eutrophication, in which the lake surface was
covered by aquatic plants within two months, hence causing lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen in
the water bodies.
Acknowledgement The authors would like to thank the
Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) for providing information and resources to carry out the study.
References 1. Mendil, M., Uluozlu, O.D, Hasdemir, E, Tuzen, M, Sari, H and Suicmez, M. (2005)
Determination of trace
metal levels in seven fish species in lake in Tokat, Turkey, Food Chemistry, 90 (1-2), pg. 175-179. 2.
Agbozu, I.E, Ekweozor, I.K.E, Opuene, K (2007) Survey of heavy metals in the catfish Synodontis clarias.
Int.
J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 4 (1): 93-97, 20. 3. Wang, W.X (2002) Interactions of trace metals in different
marine food chains, Marine Ecology Progress
Series 243, 295-309. 4. Mohamed, F.A.S and Gad N.S (2008) Environmental pollution-induced
biochemical changes in tissues of
Tilapia zilli, Solea vulgaris and Mugil capito from Lake Qarun, Egypt. Global Veterinaria 2(6), 327-336. 5.
Al-Weher, S.M (2008) Levels of heavy metals (Cd, Cu and Zn) in three fish species collected from
Northern
Jordan Valley, Jordan, Jordan J of Biological Sciences, Vol 1, pp 41-46. 6. Reitz, B., Heydorn, K.,
Pritzl, G. (1996). Determination of aluminium in fish tissues by means of INAA and
ICP-MS. J of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 216(1), 113-116. 7. Zyadah, M.A (1999)
Accumulation of some heavy metals in Tilapia zilli organs from Lake Manzalah, Egypt.
J.Zoology, 23, 365-372. 8. Malik, N; Biswas, A.K.; Qureshi,T.A; Borana, K and Virha, R. (2008)
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish
tissues of a freshwater lake of Bhopal, Environ Monit Assess, 160(1-4):267-276. 9. A.K. Ahmad and
M. Shuhaimi-Othman, 2010. Heavy Metal Concentrations in Sediments and Fishes from Lake
 Chini, Pahang, Malaysia. J of Biological Sciences, 10: 93-100. 10. Nussey, G., Vuren, J., and Preez,
H. (2006). Bioaccumulation of chromium, manganese, nickel and lead in the tissues of moggel, Labeo
umbratus (Cyprinidae), from Withbank Dam, Mpumalanga. Water SA. 26 (2) 269- 284. 11. Klavins M.,,
Potapovics O., Rodinov V. (2009) Heavy Metals in Fish from Lakes in Latvia: Concentrations and
Trends of Changes. Bulletin of Env Contamination and Toxicology. Vol. 82, pp 96–100. 12.
Abdel-Satar, A.M and Geneid, Y.A., (2009) Evaluation of Heavy Metal Status in Ecosystem of Lake
Manzalah,
Egypt. Global Journal of Environmental Research 3 (3): 194-204. 13. Irwandi, J and Farida, O (2009)
Mineral and heavy metal contents of marine fin fish in Langkawi Island,
Malaysia. International Food Research Journal 16: 105-112. 14. Olaifa, F. G.; Olaifa, A. K.; Onwude,
T. E., (2004). Lethal and sublethal effects of copper to the African Cat
fish (Clarias gariepnus). Afr. J. Biomed. Res., 7, 65-70.
The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 16 No 3 (2012): 346 - 352
15. Öztürk,M., Özözen,G., Minareci,O., Minareci, E. (2009) Determination of heavy metals in fish, water
and sediments of Avsar Dam Lake in Turkey, Iran. J. Environ. Health. Sci. Eng., 2009, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp.
73-80. 16. Howe, P and Watts, P. (2005) Tin and inorganic tin compounds. United Nations Environment
Programme,
International Labour Organisation, World Health Organization.
352