Contamination of heavy metals in Patin fish (Pangasius sp.) from Jelai River and Tembeling River, Pahang / Nur Amirah Amir

A study was conducted to determine and compare the concentration level of heavy
metals in Pangasius sp. from Jelai River and Tembeling River, Pahang. Physical
parameters measured were water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH
and conductivity. Metals concentration in fish and grower fish feed samples were
analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence meanwhile the water
samples was analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission
Spectroscopy. According to Malaysian National Interim Water Quality Standard
(INWQS), Jelai River and Tembeling River were classified between moderate to
good quality. Heavy metals in both rivers was found higher in aluminum followed
by Fe and four elements (As, Fe, Mn and Zn) were found exceed the maximum
allowable limit suggested by World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture
Organization (WHO/FAO, 2004) and Malaysia Food and Drug Regulation (MFR,
1985). Generally, present of As, Cd and Ni within the Patin fish from both Jelai
River and Tembeling River were due to the fish feed. The findings of this research
study indicates that, Patin Fish in Jelai River contained high concentration of heavy
metals compared to the samples in Tembeling River.