The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 18 No 3 (2014): 514 - 521 514 CADMIUM, CHROMIUM, COPPER, LEAD, FERUM AND ZINC LEVELS IN THE COCKLES (Anadara granosa) FROM KUALA SELANGOR, MALAYSIA (Tahap Kadmium, Kromium, Kuprum, Plumbum, Ferum dan Zink di dalam Kerang (Anadara granosa) dari Kuala Selangor, Malaysia) Sabarina Md Yunus*, Zaini Hamzah, Nik Azlin Nik Ariffin, Mohd Busairi Muslim Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia *Corresponding author: sabarina2020@salam.uitm.edu.my Abstract The aim of this study is to provide information on the concentration of metals in cockles (Anadara granosa) from Kuala Selangor, Malaysia. Cockles in this study area were taken by local people as part of their diet, therefore necessary to determine metal concentrations in the cockles. Sample collection activity was conducted at Kuala Selangor (03°20'N - 101°15'E) between the month of March, and April 2012. About two kilograms of samples were purchased from local fish market at Kuala Selangor. The concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Fe and Zn in the samples were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission (ICP-OES). The observed mean concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Fe and Zn is 1.48 ± 0.33, 1.43 ± 0.91, 15.78 ± 5.28, 1.11 ± 0.46, 875.55 ± 343.43 and 94.17 ± 7.91 mg/kg respectively. From the public health point of view, these metal concentrations were below the maximum permissible levels set by the Malaysian Food Act (1983) and Regulations (1985). Therefore, cockles from Kuala Selangor are safe for human consumption. Keywords: Kuala Selangor, Heavy Metals, Anadara granosa, ICP-OES Abstrak Tujuan kajian ini dijalankan, adalah untuk memberi maklumat terhadap kepekatan logam berat di dalam kerang di Kuala Selangor, Malaysia. Kerang di kawasan ini telah digunakan oleh penduduk setempat sebagai sebahagian daripada makanan mereka. Oleh itu, adalah perlu untuk menentukan kepekatan logam berat di dalam kerang. Aktiviti persampelan dijalankan di Kuala Selangor diantara bulan Mac dan April 2012.Sebanyak dua kilogram sampel telah dibeli daripada penjual di pasar tempatan di Kuala Selangor. Kepekatan Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Fe dan Zn di dalam sampel telah dianalisis dengan menggunakan kaedah Spektrometer Plasma Gandingan Aruhan Pancaran Optik (ICP-OES). Purata kepekatan yang didapati bagi Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Fe dan Zn adalah1.48 ± 0.33, 1.43 ± 0.91, 15.78 ± 5.28, 1.11 ± 0.46, 875.55 ± 343.43 dan 94.17 ± 7.91 mg/kg masing-masing. Dari pandangan sudut kesihatan untuk orang awam, kepekatan logam berat adalah di bawah tahap bahaya yang telah ditentukan oleh Akta Makanan Malaysia (1983) dan Peraturan (1985). Oleh itu, kerang dari Kuala Selangor adalah selamat untuk di makan. Kata kunci: Kuala Selangor, Logam Berat, Anadaragranosa, ICP-OES Introduction Anadara granosa is a major cockle species and important protein source in Southeast Asia that is commercially cultured in the tidal mudflats along the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This cockle is a good revenue source for the local population [1]. An investigation of global contaminant patterns in this oceanic organism is required, especially for this region of Malaysia. Kuala Selangor is a coastal town about 70 km away from Kuala Lumpur, perched next to a large river mouth that feeds into the sea. Hence, its name means 'Confluence of the Selangor River'. Once Kuala Selangor was the centre for a tin mining industry that helped defines the early history of Malaysia. For this reason, Kuala Selangor was chosen as a study area. The location is shown in Figure 1 below.