1 HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN CERTAIN TISSUES OF FIVE COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FISHES

The distribution of eight heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb nd Zn) were detected in muscles, gills, livers and bones of five fish species namely, Sargus sargus, Siganus rivulatus, Mugil cephalus, Caranx crysos and Scomberomorus commerson collected from El-Mex Bay, Alexandria during January 2003. Iron and zinc were most abundant in all fish tissues under investigation. Iron, zinc and copper recorded highest concentration levels in liver while cadmium, cromium and lead recorded their highest values in gills and bones. Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) demonstrated that the concentration of metals (Cd, Cu, and Pb) in muscles of the five fishes are lower than the PTWI values, and accordingly there is no risk yet for human consumption of flesh of these fishes