Lead Concentrations in Fresh Water, Muscle, Gill and Liver of Catla Catla (Hamilton) from Keenjhar Lake

This study of the abundance and distribution of lead in water and freshwater fish Catla catla (Ham.) from Keenjhar Lake was conducted during January 2003 to December 2005. The lead content was determined in water and in muscle, gill and liver tissue of Catla catla (Ham.) by using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The lead concentrations in water samples were in the range of 0.076 and 0.225 μg L-1 during the years of 2003, 2004 and 2005. The lead concentrations in the tissues of Catla catla (Ham.) varied, with liver > gill > muscle. The concentrations in muscle, gill and liver were in the range of 0.7-2.39 μg g -1, 0.74-2.25 μg g -1 and 0.89-2.68 μg g -1 (dry weight) during 2003, 2004 and 2005. 9.87 % did not exceed the UK limit of 1.0 μg g -1 (1979), 45.67 % were lower than the (USFDA) level of 1.3 μg g -1 (USEPA 1997) and remaining 44.46 % were well below than 4.88 μg g -1 (USEPA 1990). The levels in the water samples were also below the permissible level of ≤ 50 μg L-1 recommended by (WHO 1984).