Increase supervision and regulation of water quality

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 42 views

Analysis of Heavy Metal Contamination in Tuna (Euthynnus affinis) and Mackerel (Rastrigger sp) at the Belawan Fish Auction Place (TPI) and Percut Bagan Spectrophotometry Atoms (SSA)

Introduction

The increasing levels of heavy metal content in water bodies have a significant impact on aquatic biota, including fish. Heavy metals that are essential for the metabolic process can become toxic, causing potential health effects. This study aims to determine whether the heavy metal content detected in tuna (Euthynnus affinis) and mackerel (Rastrigger sp) traded in TPI Belawan and Percut Bagan exceeds the permitted limits.

Heavy Metal Contamination in Aquatic Biota

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic biota, including fish, has become a significant concern in recent years. Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (CD), and copper (Cu) can accumulate in fish tissues and cause toxic effects. The accumulation of heavy metals in fish can lead to bioaccumulation, which can have long-term health effects on humans who consume these fish. Therefore, it is essential to monitor and regulate the levels of heavy metals in fish to ensure public health and safety.

Methodology

This study uses descriptive methods to analyze heavy metal content in fish samples taken from TPI Belawan and Percut Bagan. The measurement of metal content is done using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method (SSA), which is an accurate technique for determining the concentration of heavy metals in the sample. The SSA method involves the use of a spectrophotometer to measure the absorption of light by the sample, which is then used to calculate the concentration of heavy metals.

Results and Discussion

The results of the study show that the Pb content in tuna and mackerel in TPI Belawan is 0.47 mg/kg and 0.45 mg/kg, respectively. In the Percut chart, the Pb content is 0.35 mg/kg for tuna and 0.28 mg/kg for mackerel. The detected CD content is 0.26 mg/kg for tuna and 0.24 mg/kg for mackerel in TPI Belawan, while in the Percut chart, each has a content of 0.19 mg/kg and 0.13 mg/kg. Meanwhile, the highest Cu content was detected in tuna in TPI Belawan with a value of 7.18 mg/kg, followed by 4.76 mg/kg in mackerel. In the Percut chart, each Cu content is 3.70 mg/kg for tuna and 2.64 mg/kg for mackerel.

The analysis results show that cadmium levels (CD) have a higher concentration than other heavy metals. This is very alarming, because CD is a heavy metal that has the potential to cause long-term health effects for humans who consume these fish. The maximum allowable limit for CDs in seafood is 0.1 mg/kg, so the CD level in the fish tested shows that these fish are not safe for consumption.

Conclusion

From the data obtained, it can be concluded that the heavy metal content of Pb, CDs, and Cu in tuna and mackerel in TPI Belawan and Percut charts show significant differences. High cadmium levels, exceed the permitted limits, indicate environmental contamination that needs to be treated immediately. It is essential to increase supervision and regulation of water quality to protect public health and ensure the safety of seafood consumption. Further research is also needed to analyze the source of pollution and its impact on aquatic ecosystems.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase supervision and regulation of water quality: It is essential to increase supervision and regulation of water quality to protect public health and ensure the safety of seafood consumption.
Conduct further research: Further research is needed to analyze the source of pollution and its impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Implement measures to reduce heavy metal contamination: Measures should be implemented to reduce heavy metal contamination in fish, including the use of cleaner fishing practices and the implementation of waste management systems.
Educate consumers: Consumers should be educated about the risks associated with heavy metal contamination in fish and the importance of choosing safe and sustainable seafood options.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited sample size: The sample size of this study is limited, which may not be representative of the entire population of fish in the study area.
Limited geographic scope: The study was conducted in a limited geographic area, which may not be representative of the entire region.
Limited analytical methods: The study used a limited number of analytical methods, which may not be sufficient to detect all heavy metals present in the fish samples.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Analyzing the source of pollution: Further research is needed to analyze the source of pollution and its impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Developing effective measures to reduce heavy metal contamination: Measures should be developed to reduce heavy metal contamination in fish, including the use of cleaner fishing practices and the implementation of waste management systems.
Evaluating the effectiveness of regulations: Regulations should be evaluated to determine their effectiveness in reducing heavy metal contamination in fish.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of monitoring and regulating heavy metal content in fish to ensure public health and safety. The results of this study show that high cadmium levels in tuna and mackerel in TPI Belawan and Percut Bagan exceed the permitted limits, indicating environmental contamination that needs to be treated immediately. Further research is needed to analyze the source of pollution and its impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Heavy Metal Contamination in Tuna and Mackerel

Q: What are heavy metals, and why are they a concern in fish?

A: Heavy metals are a group of elements that are dense and have a high atomic mass. They can be toxic to humans and animals in high concentrations. In fish, heavy metals can accumulate in the tissues and cause a range of health problems, including cancer, neurological damage, and reproductive issues.

Q: What are the most common heavy metals found in fish?

A: The most common heavy metals found in fish are lead (Pb), cadmium (CD), and copper (Cu). These metals can come from a variety of sources, including industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and natural sources such as volcanic activity.

Q: How do heavy metals get into fish?

A: Heavy metals can enter fish through a variety of routes, including:

Water pollution: Heavy metals can enter the water through industrial and agricultural runoff, as well as through natural sources such as volcanic activity.
Food chain: Heavy metals can accumulate in the food chain, with smaller fish and invertebrates absorbing the metals from the water and then being eaten by larger fish.
Sediment: Heavy metals can also be absorbed by fish from the sediment on the ocean floor.

Q: What are the health effects of eating fish with high levels of heavy metals?

A: Eating fish with high levels of heavy metals can have a range of health effects, including:

Cancer: Exposure to high levels of heavy metals has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Neurological damage: Heavy metals can damage the nervous system, leading to a range of symptoms including tremors, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairment.
Reproductive issues: Exposure to heavy metals has been linked to reproductive problems, including infertility and birth defects.

Q: How can I reduce my exposure to heavy metals in fish?

A: There are several steps you can take to reduce your exposure to heavy metals in fish:

Choose fish from safe sources: Choose fish from sources that are known to have low levels of heavy metals, such as fish from the Pacific Ocean.
Avoid eating fish with high levels of heavy metals: Avoid eating fish that have high levels of heavy metals, such as shark and swordfish.
Cook fish safely: Cooking fish at high temperatures can help reduce the levels of heavy metals in the fish.
Eat a variety of fish: Eating a variety of fish can help reduce your exposure to heavy metals.

Q: What can be done to reduce heavy metal contamination in fish?

A: There are several steps that can be taken to reduce heavy metal contamination in fish, including:

Reducing pollution: Reducing pollution from industrial and agricultural sources can help reduce the levels of heavy metals in fish.
Implementing regulations: Implementing regulations on the levels of heavy metals allowed in fish can help ensure that fish are safe to eat.
Monitoring fish: Monitoring fish for heavy metals can help identify areas where contamination is a problem.
Educating consumers: Educating consumers about the risks associated with heavy metal contamination in fish can help them make informed choices about the fish they eat.

Q: What is the role of the government in reducing heavy metal contamination in fish?

A: The government plays a critical role in reducing heavy metal contamination in fish by:

Implementing regulations: The government can implement regulations on the levels of heavy metals allowed in fish.
Monitoring fish: The government can monitor fish for heavy metals to identify areas where contamination is a problem.
Educating consumers: The government can educate consumers about the risks associated with heavy metal contamination in fish.
Providing funding: The government can provide funding for research and education programs to help reduce heavy metal contamination in fish.

Q: What is the role of consumers in reducing heavy metal contamination in fish?

A: Consumers play a critical role in reducing heavy metal contamination in fish by:

Making informed choices: Consumers can make informed choices about the fish they eat by choosing fish from safe sources and avoiding fish with high levels of heavy metals.
Supporting sustainable fishing practices: Consumers can support sustainable fishing practices by choosing fish that are caught using methods that minimize bycatch and habitat damage.
Educating themselves: Consumers can educate themselves about the risks associated with heavy metal contamination in fish and take steps to reduce their exposure.
Supporting regulations: Consumers can support regulations on the levels of heavy metals allowed in fish by contacting their elected officials and expressing their support for these regulations.