Concentration of heavy metals in edible fishes from Atlantic Coast of Muanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The present study aims to determine the levels of heavy metals in edible nine different commonly consumed fish species (Pseudotolithus elongatus, Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Cynoglossus senegalensis, Trichiurus lepturus, Galeoides decadactylus, Pentanemus quinquarius, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Mugil curema, and Arius latiscutatus). Fishes were collected during August 2016 from five sites of West Atlantic Ocean Coast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Sb, Cd, Pb, and Se) levels in fish muscle tissues were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) whereas Hg analysis was carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Metal concentrations varied considerably among sampling sites and fish species (P < 0.05), with maximum values (in mg kg(-1) wet weight) of 1.00 (Cr), 2.69 (Cu), 29.90 (Zn), 4.25 (Ni), 0.09 (Sb), 0.59 (Cd), 0.09 (Pb), 1.05 (Se) and 1.21 (Hg). Except for Hg, metal concentration in fish was within the permissible levels set by Food and Agriculture Organization, European Union, and World Health Organization for human consumption. However, taking into account the antagonistic effect of Se on Hg, analyzed fishes might have the protection from Hg toxicity. Thus, the results imply that investigated fishes from study area can be considered as safe for human consumption.