Heavy metal levels in five species of fish caught from Mersin Gulf

The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of cadmium, copper, zinc and chromium in the liver, gill and muscle tissues of some pelagic, benthopelagic and benthic fish species caught from Mersin Gulf and sold at Karaduvar Harbor. Pelagic species Sardinella aurita (Clupeidae), Liza ramado (Mugilidae), benthopelagic species Diplodus annularis (Sparidae) and benthic species Solea lutea (Soleidae) and Umbrina cirrosa (Sciaenidae) were selected as the study material. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric methods were applied in determining the tissue levels of metals. Metal levels showed tissue-dependent changes in the species studied. Pb and Cr levels were below detection limit; hence no comparison was made among the tissues. Cd, Cu and Zn levels were highest in the liver tissues and lowest in the muscle tissues of the species studied, except S. aurata. Gill Zn and Cd levels exceeded the liver and muscle levels in this species. Metal levels were higher in pelagic species compared with benthic ones. © by PSP