Heavy metal contamination of Pleuronectiformes species from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea

In the Turkish Black Sea coasts fish is particularly consumed because of high protein supplies, essential amino acids, vitamin, and mineral content. Fish are exposed to contaminants such as heavy metals in polluted waters. The aims of the study are to determine heavy metals in Pleuronectiformes species from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea and determine the health risks due to the consumption of contaminated fish. Pleuronectiformes species Scophthalmus maximus (Linnaeus, 1758) belonging to Scophthalmidae family, Arnoglossus laterna (Walbaum, 1792) belonging to Bothidae family and Pegusa lascaris (Risso, 1810) belonging to Soleidae family were collected from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea in fishing season of 2016. Heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in edible tissues were determined by ICP-MS (Agilent 7700x). The limit values given by the international and national organizations did not exceed in the muscle tissues of turbot, Mediterranean scald fish and sand sole. Overall Zn was detected in higher concentrations in all species followed by Cu, Pb, Hg and Cd. The results obtained from the analyses of the maximum levels of the metals except Hg were found in turbot. The highest Hg (0.021±0.007 µg g-1 wet wt.) was found in sand sole. However, the high amounts of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in turbot were 0.011±0.004, 0.07±0.005,1.32±0.28 and 14±3 µg g-1 wet wt., respectively. The EDIs and EWIs of the metals were estimated taking into account the mean of metal in all fish samples and the mean consumption of fish per day/week for adults. These results are normally significantly lower than the recommended values of FAO/WHO. Estimated HIs of all the considered metals were below the value of 1, therefore the metals in fish samples do not toxic any apparent threat to the population and these fishes are healthy for consumption.Keywords: Scophthalmus maximus, Arnoglossus laterna, Pegusa lascaris, heavy metals, Black Se