COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE HEAVY METAL LEVELS IN GREY MULLET (MUGIL CEPHALUS) FROM THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN BULGARIAN BLACK SEA COAST

The heavy metals pollution of aquatic ecosystems is a serious environmental threat that affects aquatic biomes. In this regard, various fish species which can accumulate heavy metals are valuable bioindicators of water pollution. The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of As, Pb, Cd, Hg, Mn, Zn, and Al in gray mullet (Mugil cephalus, Linnaeus, 1758). The samples were collected during the fishing season between June and September 2020 from Varna and Burgas regions. The concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury were below the maximum levels and this trend was observed for both studied areas. The element with the highest concentration for the Varna region was manganese and for Burgas – zinc