Trace metals in some fish species of South Carolina

Samples of fish from freshwater and saltwater sources of ocean, rivers, and lakes over the state of South Carolina were collected. The fish collected were Shrimp, Silver Snapper, White Bass, Catfish, Mudfish and Trout. The sample flasks were incubated in a constant temperature stirring water bath at 58 degrees C until clear solution in reagent-grade nitric acid. Triplicate samples of fish muscle tissue were analyzed by wet digestion and dry digestion methods. Trace metal levels were determined by flame atomic absorption using a Perkin-Elmer Model 306 spectrophotometer. Mercury determination was made by Coleman MAS-50 mercury analyzer. A significant finding of this report is that saltwater fish have more trace metal levels than freshwater fish, and larger fish have higher trace metals than smaller fish. Iron and zinc levels were much higher in Shrimp than any other species analyzed.