Water quality of prawn pond effluent and heavy metals in prawn (Penaeus vannamei)

Abstract

Water quality and concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd) were determined in sample of water and prawn parts (head, meat and shell) of (Penaeus vannamei) from three ponds located at Bako, Asajaya and Sempadi. Water from all three locations were high in concentrations of P04 3- and NH3-N. Meanwhile, water from Bako and Sempadi were high in concentrations of NO-2-N. Water from Sempadi have highest concentration of Pb and Cu and lowest concentration of Zn. Water from Asajaya has the lowest concentration of Pb (0.10 mg/L) and Cu (0.02mg/L). Water from Bako has higher concentration of Zn (0.21 mg/L) and Cd (0.10mg/L). P. vannamei grown in Bako have the highest concentration of Cu in the head part (7.47 mg/kg of fresh weight) and the lowest concentration of Cu in meat part (2.45 mg/kg of fresh weight). The highest concentration of Pb in the shell (7.11 mg/kg of fresh weight) and the lowest concentration of Cu in the meat (0.75 mg/kg of fresh weight) were observed from Asajaya farm. Prawns from Sempadi have the highest concentration of Cu in the head (7.8 mg/kg of fresh weight) and the lowest concentration of Cu in the meat (0.95 mg/kg of fresh weight). Level of Pb in prawn are exceeded the value given by Malaysian Food Act this 2.0 mg/kg. There are no significant positive correlations between the metals level in water and prawn part