Trace metal and organochlorine residue levels in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) from the eastern Aegean, Turkey

The levels of trace metals and organochlorine residue were determined in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the framework of a MED-POL II Project for the Aegean Sea during 1991-1998. Samples were analyzed seasonally from July 1994 to January 1998. The concentrations of trace metals found varied with Hg: 16-200 mug kg(-1), Cd: 0.57-4.5 mug kg(-1) and Pb: 40-207 mug kg(-1) wet weight. The order of trace metal concentrationn found in Mullus barbatus was Pb > Hg > Cd. Correlation coefficients were calculated between Hg, Cd, and Pb concentrations and fork lengths to be Hg:0.5852, Cd:-0.081, Pb:0.5823, respectively. Cadmium levels are lower than the results in fish tissues reported from Mediterranean regions. The results of organochlorine residues measured varied between Aldrin: 0.10 and 0.61 mug kg(-1) t-DDD: 0.86 and 4.5 mug kg(-1) and t-DDE: 10 and 18 mug kg(-1) wet weight. Correlation coefficients for measured organochlorine residues and fork lengths are Aldrin: 0.6422, t-DDD: 0.2237 and t-DDE: 0.5484. The levels of mercury, lead and organochlorine residues are similar to the results in fish from Mediterranean countries. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.