Sonoelectroanalytical Determination of Heavy Metals in Fish Gill Mucous

Fish gill mucous is used as a nondestructive biomarker for the detection of heavy metals by sono-square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (sono-SWASV). The mucous sample was obtained by gently rinsing the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) with a solution of borate buffer at pH 7. A glassy carbon electrode plated in situ with mercury was used in a face on arrangement with the ultrasonic horn to first demonstrate that voltammetric measurements can accurately be made in borate buffer. The optimum deposition potential and ultrasound power for copper from a dilute mucous solution was then determined and used to give a quantitative assessment of copper content using the microaddition technique. The results had a % RSD of less than 2 % and compared favorably with an independent blind analysis. The potential of the technique for detection of other heavy metals for example lead, was also demonstrated. We conclude that sono-SWASV of gill mucous may present a novel alternative to the destructive conventional techniques due to its accuracy, rapidity and facile methodology.