Evaluation of toxic metal levels in edible tissues of three wild captured freshwater fishes

Abstract

River ecosystems are vulnerable to heavy metal pollution. Fish samples are considered as one of the most indicative factors, in fresh water systems, for the estimation of trace metals pollution potential since they are the final chain of aquatic web. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the concentration of some toxic elements (As, Hg, Pb, Cd and Ni) in edible part of three wild fresh water fish species (zander (Sander lucioperca), wels catfish (Silurus glanis) and European carp (Cyprinus Carpio)) caught from Bulgarian part of Danube river collected during 2010. The Danube River is the European Union's longest and the continent's second longest river that passes through or touches the borders of ten countries. It has a great importance in regard to biodiversity, economics and transportation. The elements (As, Pb, Cd and Ni) were assayed using Perkin Elmer Zeeman 3030 electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer with an HGA-600 atomizer. Determination of Hg was performed using Milestone Direct Mercury Analyzer DMA-80. The results were expressed as µg/g dry weight. The order of heavy metal accumulation in the edible part of zander is As>Hg>Pb> Ni> Cd while the other two fish species show a different metal accumulation Hg > As >Pb> Ni > Cd. In all heavy metals, the accumulation of mercuric and arsenic proportion was significantly high in all three fish types.

Comparison of heavy metal concentration of some marine fishes from Black and Aegean Seas

“…Mercury is a known human toxicant and the primary sources of mercury contamination in man are through eating fish [24].The lowest and highest mercury levels in fish species were found as 0.11 mg/kg in Black Sea bluefish and Aegean Sea bream and 0.13 mg/kg in Aegean Sea bass. The maximum Hg level permitted for fishes is 0.5 mg/kg according to Bulgarian Food Codex [16].…”