Lead bioaccumulation in the muscles of juvenile Chanos chanos (Forskél) from two selected fish ponds in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City, Philippines

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is one of the most common heavy metal pollutants present in the environment. It can be sourced from the environment or from anthropogenic activities. Fish is an important food source in the Philippines because of its availability, affordability, and nutritional value. Lead bioaccumulation was tested in sediments, muscles of juvenile milkfish (Chanos chanos), and water collected from 2 fish ponds in Brgy. Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City across 2 sampling seasons (May and June 2016). Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was used to determine the amount of lead. Results showed that lead concentration across sites and seasons in sediments, fish muscles, and water greatly exceeded the maximum allowable limit set by WHO and USEPA. Moreover, the degree of lead concentration is as follows: sediments > fish muscles > water. Statistical analysis revealed that there exists a significant difference in lead concentration across sampling seasons. These differences can be largely attributed to the rainfall occurrence in the locality during the time of collection. Further research should be conducted to determine the safety of the aquaculture products of Brgy. Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City, Philippines.