Abstract:The presence of heavy metals in freshwater fish represents a global public health issue. The current study aimed to determine the heavy metal concentration and toxicity in some freshwater fish species collected from the Tigris River in Baghdad. Out of the many fish species in Iraq, the current study selected the Genus Barbus as it represents the most popular fish food in Iraq. The sample included twenty fishes and the selected sample locations covered two industrial areas in Baghdad (one north of Baghdad and one south of Baghdad). The levels of heavy metals were determined by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that concentrations of heavy metals in the sampled fishes exceeded the acceptable levels for food sources for human consumption. The results of this study showed high levels of cadmium and chromium levels in the tissues of the selected fish sample. Cd and Cr were among the highest concentrations and both exceeded the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations acceptable levels for heavy metals in fishes.

As a source of animal protein, beef has a strategic value in the Indonesian economy. National beef production growth is slower than that of consumption. It leads to an increased import. Lower growth of national beef production is due to low productivity of beef cattle. One of steps to achieving beef self-sufficiency policy is beef cattle productivity improvement through optimizing artificial insemination (AI). This study aims to analyze the impact of technology improvements through increased application of AI dosage on the performance of beef cattle industry, the livestock subsector, and forecasting beef self-sufficiency achievement in Indonesia. This study utilized annual time series data from 1990 to 2011. The data were analysed using an econometric model with simultaneous equations. Parameters were estimated using a Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) method. Forecasting domestic beef production and demand uses the econometric models. Results of the study reveal that (a) increasing dosages of AI applications will increase domestic cattle population and beef production, lower domestic beef prices, increase national beef demand, as well as improve GDP and employment of livestock subsector, (b) technological improvements by increasing dosages of AI application will accelerate achievement of beef self-sufficiency in Indonesia.

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