Determination of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd and Pb concentrations in Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766) from the Korangi fish harbour, Karachi, Pakistan

Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd and Pb concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy in Scatophagus argus collected during January through December 2013. Muscle and liver tissues of the fish samples were analyzed to examine the differences in concentration among the above metals in different seasons of the year. Significant differences were found between the tissues, with all metals being consistently higher in liver than those in edible tissues. There appeared to be a general trend of increasing concentration in post-monsoon for Fe, Zn, Cu and Cd and in pre-monsoon for Mn and Pb. However, statistically significant differences were not found between seasons. The results may be concluded that the heavy metal amounts in spotted scat of the Korangi fish harbor do not show any threat to people health