Heavy metals concentration in mud crab (Scylla serrata) and related soil at Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar area of Bangladesh

Heavy metal levels have increased due to increased industrialization, which has a negative impact on crab, an essential source of protein. This study aimed to measure the level of certain heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Hg) in edible tissue from mud crab (Scylla serrata) and related soil collected from Chattogram and Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. The concentration of heavy metals in mud crab and the soil were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) (Model ICE 3300). While the mean values of heavy metals in crab tissue samples from Chattogram were 0.06 mg/kg for Cd and 0.45 mg/kg for Pb, in the related soil samples these values were determined as 0.52 mg/kg for Cd and 7.24 mg/kg for Pb. In Cox's Bazar, the mean Pb content was 4.1 mg/kg in related soil, but the levels of Cd and Hg were below the detection limit. In S. serrata tissues, all heavy metal concentrations were below the detection limit. The heavy metal values obtained in the study were compared with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), European Union (EU) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Results concluded that metal concentrations were within permissible limits and did not pose an immediate risk to public health or human consumption. Specifically, the measured concentration levels are considered poor when compared to national and international requirements.