The comparison of three cyprinid species in terms of heavy metals accumulation in some tissues

Abstract

In this study, three cyprinids species (Acanthobrama marmid, Cyprinus carpio, and Chondrostoma regium) from Keban Dam Lake, Elazig, Turkey, were compared in terms of the levels of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), cadmium (U), and lead (Pb) in muscle, skin, liver, gonad, and gill tissues. The Co, Cr, Cd, Mn, and Ph were not found in detectable levels in any organs and tissues of any species, according to results obtained by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Only Fe, Cu, and Zn were detected in all tissues examined. The results obtained from different cyprinid species were compared to each other and to tolerable values for heavy metals provided from the Food and Agriculture Organization (Rome, Italy) to determine whether these fish species have any risk for human consumption.