Metals Content In Edible Gastropod From Blanakan Silvofishery Ponds

Human activities contribute to waste and promote threats to water quality. Heavy metals contamination is one of the threats. High input of heavy metals on ponds will affect organism including gastropods. Mangrove snail (Telescopium telescopium) is one of the non-cultural biotas which is consumed by humans. This research aimed to determine metals content in mangrove snail flesh from Blanakan silvofishery ponds. Samples were conducted from three ponds using a purposive sampling technique in April 2018. Metals content were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The Result showed that the highest Pb and Cu content was in pond 3 at 19,46 mg/kg and 27,52 mg/kg respectively and the highest Zn content was in pond 1 at 21,28 mg/kg. The Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) values ranged 0,05 – 4,57 showed that mangrove snail has a tendency to accumulate heavy metals. The bioconcentration values > 1 at Cu showed that mangrove snail can be used as bioindicator to control Cu pollution, especially in the mangrove ecosystem. One of the efforts to protect public health is to set a maximum limit of metal contamination in food that is suitable for consumption. The maximum limit of metal contamination in food is determined through a decree of the General Director of Drug and Food Control, an institution in Indonesia which is in charge of overseeing the circulation of drugs and food in accordance with the provisions of the legislation. Based on The National Agency of Drug and Food Control No. 03725/B/SK/VII/89, people must be more careful in consuming mangrove snail. (paper)