The Accumulation of Some Heavy Metals in Northern Pike (Esox lucius L., 1758) Inhabiting Sıdıklı Küçükboğaz Dam Lake (KIRŞEHİR)

Abstract

Heavy metal concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr and Al in muscle, liver, skin, intestine and gill of Pike Fish (Esox lucius l., 1758) collected from Siddikli Küçükboğaz Dam Lake in Turkey between March 2012 and February 2013, It was measured by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and it was determined that heavy metals accumulated at different levels in different tissues of pike. Heavy metal concentration in different fish tissues varied as dry weight Cu: 0.1123-0.3764, Fe: 4.3135-9.505, Mn: 0.5442-0.1684, Zn: 3.3065-2.475, Cr: 0.1889-2.517, Al: 2.17-1045 µg g-1. When the heavy metal levels in the tissues were compared with the national and international permissible limits, it was seen that the values of all metals in the muscles of the fish were below the determined limit values according to the analysis results. Seasonal changes in metal (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr and Al) concentrations were observed in pike tissues, but it was concluded that these differences would not negatively affect the consumption recommendations. As a result, this study shows that various metals are present at different levels in fish muscle tissues, but they are within the levels permitted by Turkish standards and WHO / FAO. Considering this situation, it has been concluded that the fish coming from these regions will generally not show any negative consequences for human consumption and there is no harm in using the reservoir water for irrigation in agriculture.