LEVELS OF TRACE METALS IN FISH (Euthynnus affinis) FROM THE GULF OF AQABA, JORDAN

The aim of this study is to provide knowledge and establish data about the levels of some trace metals in the Euthynnus affinis fish. The Euthynnus affinis is an important commercial migratory fish consumed by the locals in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, during its seasonal period. The levels of these heavy metals (magnesium, manganese, nickel, chromium, cobalt, cadmium and copper) were determined in the liver, heart, spleen, muscle, kidney, gills, gonads and stomach of forty Euthynnus affinis fish collected from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Significant differences in the levels of trace metals were found among different organs and high variations in the concentrations and the levels of the analyzed metals were obtained. Our study reveals that the length of the samples did not affect the levels of most of the analyze metals, and for those metals that were affected there is a negative relationships with the length.