Determination of Metals in Tissues of Fish Species from Hurmabogazı Lagoon

Abstract

Heavy metal concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni and Zn in muscles, livers, gonads and gills of flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus Linneaus, 1758), leaping mullet (Liza saliens Risso, 1810), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata Linneaus, 1758), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax Linneaus, 1758) and thicklip grey mullet (Chelon labrosus Risso, 1827) from Hurmabogazi Lagoon were monitored. Heavy metal concentrations found in tissues varied for Cd÷ (0.11-0.25), Co÷ (0.02-0.22), Cr÷ (0.27-0.84), Cu÷ (0.51-15.8), Fe÷ (31.9-137.0), Mn÷(0.42-4.97), Ni÷ (0.18-4.39), Pb÷ (0.28-1.57) and Zn÷ (4.41-61.7) mg kg-1 wet weight. The values of all metals in muscles of analyzed fish in the present study stayed below the established limit values. Consequently, it might be concluded that these metals in the edible parts of the examined species should not pose any public health problems.