Determination of Trace Elements in Muscle Tissue of Caspian Roaches (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) Collected in Iranian Coastal Waters of the Caspian Sea

in muscle of Caspian roaches collected from coastal waters of southern part of the Caspian Sea, by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion. The accuracy of the method was corrected by standard material. The contents of investigated trace metals in fish samples were found to be in the range 16.80-22.40 for zinc, 0.381-2.890 for manganese, 0.28-1.10 for chromium, <0.001-0.765 for copper, <0.001-0.038 for cadmium and <0.001-0.039 for 1ead µg/g dry wt., respectively. In this study, the relationship between the concentration of the elements and biological characteristics has been examined. The significant length and weight dependent relationships were observed for some elements. The results were compared with the literature values. According to the results of this study, the consumption of Caspian roaches were collected from coastal waters of the southern part of Caspian Sea can be safe for human health in spite of possible contamination with heavy metals. Key words: Trace elements % Caspian roaches % Rutilus rutilus caspicus % Coastal waters of Caspian Sea INTRODUCTION Bony fishes such as Caspian roaches (Rutilus rutilus The Caspian Sea is the largest continental body of species in the Caspian Sea. They are distributed water in the world, is bordered by the states of Azerbaijan, throughout the Caspian Sea and important prey items for Islamic Republic of Iran, Federation of Russia, Kazakhstan sturgeons and Caspian Seals. It is therefore necessary t