Investigating heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe and Se) bioaccumulation in muscle, liver and gill tissues of Pomadasys kaakan from the Bushehr port

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe and Se) in the muscle, liver and gill tissues of Pomadasys kaakan from the Bushehr port during the year 2017. Biometry of fish samples was performed. Then, the muscle, liver and gill tissues were separated from the fish samples and chemical digestion of the samples was conducted. Cu, Zn, Fe and Se accumulation levels in various tissues were measured using Graphite furnace atomic absorption instrument (Perkin Elmer 3030). Based on the results, the average concentrations of heavy metals including Cu, Zn, Fe and Se in the muscle of Pomadasys kaakan were 7.620±0.035, 25.710±2.570, 2.620±0.166 and 0.101±0.006 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. The average concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe and Se in the liver were 8.420±0.149, 31.401±1.020, 3.070±0.155 and 0.108±0.009 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. The average concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe and Se in the gill were 9.900±0.110, 34.740±1.070, 4.400±0.240 and 0.133±0.011 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Significant differences in the concentration levels of heavy metals were observed among different tissues (P<0.05). Moreover, the results of this study revealed that the levels of Cu, Zn and Se in the muscle of Pomadasys kaakan from the Bushehr port were lower than the permitted levels by international standards (WHO, FAO, NHMRC, UK (MAFF) and FDA). However, concentration of Fe in the muscle of Pomadasys kaakan from the Bushehr port was higher than the permitted levels by FDA.
 

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