Pike (Esox lucius) Bio-indicator of Heavy Metal Pollution in Anzali Wetland

The economical and industrial aspects of aquatic organisms like fish make the topic of toxicants important. The present study was carried out to measure the accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Sn and Zn) in the liver and muscle of pike (Esox lucius). Totally, 60 pikes have been collected from 6 stations in the Anzali wetland (the south coast of the Caspian Sea) included Pirbazar, Anzali, Abkenar, Sangachin, Beshman, and Khazarvila. Tissue samples were prepared according to MOOPAM method. Zn concentration was determined using a atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Pb and Sn were also measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were measured in the muscle and liver of pikes collected from Anzali and Pirbazar stations (located in the northeast of the wetland) due to the large amount of heavy metals release into these stations from adjacent shipbuilding factories and oil jetty. Comparison of the levels of three metals in fish tissues with international standards showed that Pb concentration was significantly higher in Anzali and Pirbazar fish than the permissible limit determined by WHO.