Quantitative analysis of heavy metals in muscle, liver and gill tissues of Euryglossa orientalis in northern Persian Gulf waters

In this research, concentrations of heavy metals (i.e., cadmium, lead, copper) in muscle,
liver and gill tissues of Euryglossa orientalis (Family: Soleidae) in two fishing areas, from
northern Persian Gulf that names Hendijan port (Bahrekan) in Khuzestan province and
Deylam port in Bushehr province were measured and compared. Fifty fish samples randomly
were collected from Hendijan and Deylam ports each from 3 stations, in summer 2008. Tissue
samples were digested using MOOPAM method and metal concentrations (Cd, Pb, Cu) were
measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Cadmium, lead and copper
concentrations were varied significantly among gills, liver and muscle tissues of fish samples
in any area from Hendijan and Deylam. In Hendijan area higher mean (±SD) concentrations
of cadmium and copper were observed in the liver (2.11±0.22 and 366.41±15.63μg/g,
respectively. Lower concentrations in the muscle (0.70±0.07 and 5.08±0.27μg/g respectively.
In Deylam area higher mean (±SD) concentrations of cadmium and copper were observed in
the liver (1.47±0.10 and 240.24±10.50μg/g, respectively lower concentrations in the muscle
(0.49±0.07 and 3.08±0.52μg/g), respectively. In Hendijan area higher concentration with
mean (±SD) of lead was observed in the gill (10.72±1.71μg/g with lower concentration was
noted in the muscle (5.20±0.05μg/g) of fish. In Deylam area higher mean (±SD) concentration
of lead was observed in the gill (6.91±0.52μg/g) with lower concentration in the muscle
(4.09±0.52μg/g). In general, our study showed that concentration of heavy metals in different
tissues of fish in Hendijan area was significantly higher than Deylam area. Also, cadmium
and lead concentrations in muscle tissue of Euryglossa orientalis in both sampling area were
higher than the acceptable limits reported by WHO, FAO, ITS and others.
*Corresponding author