Determination of 28 trace elements in three farmed cyprinid fish species from Northeast China

The concentrations of 28 trace elements (Li, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Mo, Zn, Se, Sr, Co, Al, Ti, As, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, Pb, U, Ag, Be, TI, Ga, Te, Sn, Tm) in three farmed cyprinid fish species (common carp – Cyprinus carpio, crucian carp – Carassius carassius, grass carp – Ctenopharyngodon idella) from Northeast China were determined. The mean concentrations obtained for elements analyzed in mg/kg were as follows: Li(0.01), V(0.019), Cr (0.121), Mn (0.136), Fe (6.71), Ni (0.119), Cu (0.293), Mo (0.015), Zn(7.90), Se (0.243), Sr (1.171), Al (6.30), Ti (0.237), As (0.096), Cd (0.11), Sb (0.11), Ba (0.193), Hg (0.013), Pb (0.172) and U (0.004), with low detective rate for Co, Be, Ga, Ag, Sn, Te, Tm and Tl. Significant differences in concentrations of analyzed elements were found among the three provinces while crucian carp accumulated the highest total trace elements. Samples with 0.56% (As), 1.13% (Cd) and 9.04% (Pb) were exceeding the maximum residue limits established by Chinese legislation and further health risk assessment showed Pb, Cd and As were the major risk contributors. The hazard index (HI) at average exposure and high exposure level were all less than one. Overall, results indicate that the intake of farmed fish are safe for consumers in Northeast China and we suggest that As, Cd and Pb should be the most important monitored targets which should warrant concern.