Accumulation of lead in the muscle of brackish water fish (Boleopthalmus dussumieri)

Lead is highly toxic, impairing biological functions of aquatic animals. In vitro, static test was performed to find out the accumulation of lead in the muscle of brackish water fish (Boleopthalmus dussumieri). Fish were maintained in experimental aquaria with lead nitrate solution having known lead concentration of 1.48 and 14.8 mg/l, respectively. The experiments were performed in triplicate. Two fishes from each exposed aquarium were sampled on zero hour, 96 hours and 192 hours. Muscle was removed and processed prior to analysis of lead concentration by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The amount of lead accumulated in muscle of experimental fish increased steadily with the period of exposure. The lead accumulated in fish muscle was 29.60±6.62 ?g/g at 96 hours of exposure and accumulated up to 72.48±14.18 ?g/g in 192 hours of exposure period at the highest concentration. Significant relationship between accumulation and exposure period as well as exposed concentration (p < 0.05) at the significance level of 95 % was recorded. The present study indicated that the fishes living in mudflats of brackish water bodies receiving industrial as well as anthropogenic waste water containing an assortment of heavy metals can accumulate them in considerable concentrations