Mercury (Hg) and Copper (Cu) Analysis of Sea Cucumber Paracaudina australis Crackers from Kenjeran Surabaya using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Abstract

Sea cucumber Paracaudina australis crackers is one of the sea foods processed which highly produced and consumed at Kenjeran Surabaya. The research aims to measure concentration of mercury and copper in fried and un-fried sea cucumber Paracaudina australis, Crackers collected from three supplier at Kenjeran Surabaya Using Atomic Absorption S Spectroscopy (AAS). The six sample were oxidized using oxidator agents  of HNO₃ Pa, H₂SO₄ Pa, H₂O₂ Pa (6:2:1) under wet-closed digestion for Hg analysis and wet-opened digestion for Cu analysis. Vapor generation Accessory (VGA-AAS) was applied for measuring Hg concentration while flame AAS for Cu. The research indicated that Hg concentration in sea cucumber crackers were 0,058; 0,0149; 0,108 ppb (un-fried crackers) and 0,078; 0,074; 0,061 ppb (fried crackers) Cu concentration in sea cucumber crackers was measured as 2,037; 3,05; 3,16 ppm (un-fried crackers) and 1,164; 1,589; 1,924 ppm (fried crackers).