HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN FISH (Mullus barbatus, Pagellus erythrinus and Saurida undosquamis) FROM ISKENDERUN BAY, TURKEY

Heavy metal levels in fish species (Mullus barbatus, Pagellus erythrinus and Saurida undosquamis) in Iskenderun Bay were studied in 2004 and 2005. The mean heavy metal concentrations (mu gg(-1) wet weight) were measured as follows: Fe: 63.82 +/- 46.63 mu gg(-1), Zn: 24.10 +/- 20.73 mu gg(-1) and Cu: 2.46 +/- 2.50 mu gg(-1) in 2004 and Fe: 39.27 +/- 53.79 mu gg(-1), Zn: 7.43 +/- 4.55 mu gg(-1) and Cu: Not detected (ND) in 2005 for Pagellus erythrinus, Fe: 64.74 +/- 41.71 mu gg(-1), Zn: 32.36 +/- 21.04 mu gg(-1) and Cu: 3.05 +/- 2.47 mu gg(-1) in 2004 and Fe: 32.77 +/- 39.86 mu gg(-1), Zn: 10.28 +/- 10.99 mu gg(-1) and Cu: ND in 2005 for Mullus barbatus and Fe: 37.45 +/- 19.21 mu gg(-1) Zn 20.50 +/- 15.62 mu gg(-1) and Cu: 1.78 +/- 2.37 mu gg(-1) in 2004 and Fe: 63.26 +/- 62.29 mu gg(-1), Zn: 11.14 +/- 13.82 mu gg(-1) and Cu: ND 2005 for Saurida undosquamis. The levels of Pb, Cd and Cr were below the detectable limit of Atomic Absorption (0.125, 0.008 and 0.05 mu gg(-1) wet weight respectively) both for species and for the years 2004 and 2005. There were not any differences between mean metal concentrations of three fish species and seasons of 2004 and 2005. There was also no relationship between fish length and heavy metal accumulation (p>0.05). In addition, no differences were detected among three fish species in terms of heavy metal concentrations. The metal levels in examined fish species were below the legal limit for human consumption.