The organs of freshwater fish from Wisconsin were analyzed for their heavy metal content using atomic absorption spectroscopy on the graphite furnace. The heavy metals of interest are Pb, As, Cd, and Cu. The fish were dissected and digested with nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrochloric acid using an EPA protocol for biological samples. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic life can occur from water sources through their gills and skin and also their food sources and sediment. Heavy metals are toxic not only to the consumers of the fish but also the fish themselves. The levels of these metals can also give insight to conditions of the aquatic environments in which the fish were collected.

Quantification of heavy metals in freshwater fish in Wisconsin through atomic absorption spectrometry

251st National Meeting (2016)

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