Abstract:
Mussels, Perna viridis L., were collected from three seafood markets in
Metro Manila (Macapagal Seaside Market, The Original Dampa
Freshfood Market, and Seaside Mart), and were tested for heavy metals
including cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc through atomic absorption
spectrophotometry. Water samples were also collected from the harvest
site of mussels in Bacoor Bay, Cavite, and subjected to similar heavy
metal analysis. It was observed that the highest heavy metal
concentrations were found in mussels sold in Macapagal Seaside Market.
Copper and lead concentrations in soft tissues of mussels were also above
the guidelines set by PEMSEA for safe human consumption. Water
samples collected from harvest sites in Bacoor Bay also showed high
concentrations of cadmium and lead that were beyond the standards of
DENR, ASEAN, and U.S. EP A. Hence, this study proves that mussels
sold in markets in Metro Manila have some heavy metal concentrations
that may be unsafe for human consumption.
