Evaluation of Trace Metal Content by ICP-MS Using Closed Vessel Microwave Digestion in Fresh Water Fish

The objective of the present study was to investigate trace metal levels of different varieties of fresh water fish using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer after microwave digestion (MD-ICPMS). Fish samples were collected from the outlets of twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The trace metal content in different varieties of analyzed fish were ranged from 0.24 to 1.68？mg/kg for Chromium in Cyprinus carpio and Masto symbollon, 0.20 to 7.52？mg/kg for Manganese in Labeo rohita and Masto symbollon, 0.006 to 0.07？mg/kg for Cobalt in Rastrelliger kanagurta and Pampus argenteus, 0.31 to 2.24？mg/kg for Copper in Labeo rohita and Penaeus monodon, 3.25 to 14.56？mg/kg for Zinc in Cyprinus carpio and Macrobrachium rosenbergii, and 0.01 to 2.05？mg/kg for Selenium in Rastrelliger kanagurta and Pampus argenteus, respectively. Proximate composition data for the different fishes were also tabulated. Since the available data for different trace elements for fish is scanty, here an effort is made to present a precise data for the same as estimated on ICP-MS. Results were in accordance with recommended daily intake allowance by WHO/FAO. 1. Introduction Trace elements are found naturally at various levels in the hydrosphere, and many are required for physiological and metabolic processes of organisms [1]. These metals are also referred to as microminerals and are part of enzymes, hormones, and cells in the body. Insufficient intake of trace minerals can cause symptoms of nutritional deficiency. Due to industrialization, the number of factories and population has increased rapidly. The contamination of freshwaters with a wide range of pollutants has become a matter of concern over the last few decades [2–4]. It is unfortunate that we, human beings without realizing the consequences of pollution, do a lot of activities that terribly ruin the nature, resulting in the denial of healthy environment to our successors. Water contamination is one of the serious concerns that affect the marine ecosystem with high concentration of trace metals. According to [5] the coastal or river waters are contaminated by the dumping of industrial wastages. The metals accumulated in these waters pass through to human and infect the humans by direct consumption or through consuming the affected organisms like fishes. [6, 7] claim that when the level of trace metal concentrations exceeds the stipulated level it turns out to be toxic. Very recently, the work in [8] has stated that the higher level of metal concentration will bring shattering effect to the ecological balance by