Heavy metals (Pb, Hg) in blood cockle (Anadara granosa) in Cengkok Waters, Banten Bay, Indonesia

Abstract

Blood cockle (Anadara granosa) is one of the biotas which has high economic and ecological value in Cengkok Waters, Banten Bay. Human activities such as settlements, agriculture, fisheries, mining, and industries are seen as main reasons for degrading the aquatic environment and have a negative impact on blood cockles. Pb and Hg from these human activities may pollute the Cengkok Waters and accumulate in the body of blood cockles. This research aims to analyze the content of heavy metals (Pb and Hg) in blood cockles' meat in Cengkok Waters, Banten Bay. Sampling was carried out monthly, from March to August 2019. Measurement of heavy metal contents was conducted using the AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer). The result shows that the heavy metal contents (Pb and Hg) are still within the quality standard of Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM, 2018).