Assessment level of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg) in four fish species of Persian Gulf (Bushehr- Iran)

In order to assessment the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fishes of Persian Gulf, four fish species (Scomberomorus Commerson, Otolithes Ruber, Acanthpagrus Latus, Euryglossa orientalis) were sampled from Persian Gulf northwest coasts of Iran (Bushehr: N 50 o 51', E 28 o 59') and heavy metals (Cd+2, Pb+2, Hg+2) levels were determined in different tissues (muscle, liver and gill) of fishes, by voltammetry methods. In each of species the sequence of metal concentrations in different tissues was as following: Liver> Gill> muscle, and in the different fishes, this order was : Euryglossa orientalis > Acanthpagrus Latus > Otolithes Ruber > Scomberomorus Commerson. Cd+2 and Hg+2 concentrations in the tissues of Acanthpagrus Latus and Euryglossa orientalis and the Pb+2 level in the liver of this species also Cd+2 concentration in liver of Scomberomorus Commerson, were found higher than the permissible limits set by FAO/WHO. The relationships between fish size and metal concentrations (μg g-1 d.w.) in the tissues were surveyed by linear regression analysis. Results showed that, relationships between size and metal concentrations in four species (in confidence level %95) is significant, positive and negative. Highly significant positive and negative relationships were found between fish length and Hg+2, Cd+2 levels in muscle of Otolithes Ruber. These relationships were discussed, in this article.

Bioaccumulation, Heavy metal, Fish, Relationship, Persian Gulf