Heavy metal concentrations in some commercially important fishes and their contribution to heavy metals exposure in Palestinian people of Gaza Strip (Palestine)

This study was carried out to provide information on heavy metal concentrations in the muscles of six commercial fish species available in Gaza Strip markets and to evaluate the possible risk associated with their consumption. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) were determined in the muscles of Merluccius hubbsi, Micropogonias furnieri, Pangasius hypothalamus, Oreochromis niloticus, Sparus aurata and Mugil cephalus. The levels of heavy metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after digestion of the samples using kjldahl heating digester. There were great variations among heavy metal levels in the muscles of the six fish species. M. cephalus accumulated the highest levels of Cu, Mn and Ni, while the highest levels of Zn, Cd and Pb were detected in M. furnieri. The heavy metal concentrations found in muscles varied for