HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN TISSUES OF EDIBLE FISH (MULLUS BARBATUS L., 1758) FROM THE CANDARLI BAY (TURKEY)

Heavy metal contents were investigated in different organ tissues of Mullus barbatus (L., 1758) from Candarli Bay in the northeast Agean Sea in May 2004. Muscle, liver and gill tissue were analyzed for copper, lead, chromium, zinc and iron by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentrations of copper in the muscle tissue ranged between 0.11 and 1.25, in liver 0.62 - 2.08, in gill 0.32 - 1.26; chromium in muscle 4.21 - 9.02, in gill 10.49 - 17.49, in liver 15.50 - 26.37; lead in muscle 1.20 - 9.74, in gill 3.18 - 11.82, in liver 5.30 - 12.52; zinc in muscle 0.36 - 0.97, in gill 1.16 - 2.57, in liver 2.08 - 6.19; iron in muscle 4.16 - 9.32, in gill 8.23 - 25.63, and in liver 5.43-58.45 (mu g g(-1) wet weight). The order of the metal concentrations found in M. barbatus was Cu < Zn < Pb < Cr < Fe. According to statistical analysis, there were no significant relationship between individual lengths and weights of Mullus barbatus and bioaccumulation of heavy metals (ANOVA, p > 0.05). In this study, the mean values of Pb and Cr in muscle tissues were exceeded the legislation limits of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and MARA (T.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs). In addition, Pb and Cr values in excess of permissible limits may be harmful to human health.