Association of Mercury, Cadmium and Arsenic bioaccumulation with the chemical compositions of Liza auratus muscle in Anzali Wetland

This study aimed to evaluate protein, fat and ash contents as well as the concentrations of As, Hg and Cd in muscle tissues of Liza auratus cached from Anzali Wetland. Eighteen samples of Liza auratus were collected using gill net. Heavy metals were extracted using wet digestion method and the concentrations were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Concentration of Hg, As and Cd in the muscle of mullet was 57.20±7.56, 97.29±13.27 and 200.80±31.39 µg/Kg. Moreover, the percentage (mean±SD) of protein, fat and ash in the muscle of the samples were determined as 17.69±0.42, 0.74±0.08 and 1.37±0.12%, respectively. The positive and significant relationship was observed between the concentration of Hg, As and Cd in the muscle of mullet (P<0.05). Besides, the highest correlation was found between Hg and As (R=0.982, R2=0.952, P < 0.05). Results also showed a relationship between concentrations of Hg, As and Cd with the chemical compositions of the muscle (P < 0.05).