Determination of Nickel and Cobalt accumulation in edible tissues of Crucian (Rtilus frisii kutum) caught from the International Anzali wetland

The aim of this study was to determine the accumulation of nickel and cobalt in the edible tissues of Crucian (Rtilus frisii kutum) and to compare their concentrations with the FDA/FAO standards. For this purpose, the fish samples were caught from western, central and eastern stations of Anzali wetland. Using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Ni and Co contamination were determined. According to the results, the mean value of Ni concentration in the samples caught from the eastern and central stations were 0.93 and 0.80 µg/g, respectively which were not statistically different. Moreover, Ni concentration in the central region was estimated at 1.13 μg/g, which was not significantly different from the FDA standard. In the case of Co, the average concentration in the western parts was below the detection limit; however in the central and eastern parts Co level was 0.13 and 0.07 μg/g dry weight, respectively that was in the approved limit adopted by FDA and FAO. Besides, the difference of Co concentration in the eastern, western as well as central stations was not significantly different. Based on the results, Ni and Co contents in edible tissues of Crucian of the eastern, western and central stations of Anzali wetland were found suitable for human consumption.