First report on occurrence of heavy metals in dried fishes from major fishing villages in Kerala coast, Southwest India

Heavy metal concentrations in dried fishes collected from four fishing villages of Kerala, India, have been assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Overall, metal concentrations in dry fishes were in the decreasing order: Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd. Except Pb and Cr, other metals assessed were within permissible limits. Higher accumulation of Pb may be attributed to anthropogenic sources of metals that are persistent in the southwest coast of India, especially the Kerala coast, due to extensive industrialization, urbanization, fishing and port activities. Thirty-six species of dried fishes collected from Azhikode and Munambam zones were found to have more metal accumulations. The metal pollution assessment of dried fishes indicated that Pb and Cr concentrations are higher in the Kerala coast. Further studies must be carried out in more dried fish species and other preserved seafood to ensure that the dried fishes processed from these polluted coastal zones do not cause any harm to the consumers.