Survey of Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) Contamination in Muscle tissue of Esox luciusn from Anzali International Wetland, Accumulation and Risk Assessment

Background and Âquatic ecosystems pollution with heavy metals, have always been a major concern for aquatic organisms and human health. Çontaminants such as heavy metals get accumulated along the food chain and then transmitted to human body. Levels of contaminants in fish are of particular interest because of the potential risk to humans consuming them. This paper examines the levels of cadmium, lead, zinc and copper in muscle tissue of Ësox lucius from the Ânzali international wetland and compared them whit human health standards. Ïn this study 26 Pike perch (Ësox lucius) were collected from the wetland by multimesh gill nets in September 2010. Âfter sampeles digestion with concentrated nitric acid, they were analyzed for Pb in a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer and for Çd, Çu, and Zn in a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean concentration of Çd, Pb, Çu and Zn were 0.82 ± 0.06, 0.22 ± 0.02, 5.68 ± 0.31, 54.26 ± 0.87 (µg/g dry weight) respectively. Data analysis showed that no significant correlation exist between Pb, Çu and Zn concentrations with body weight and length but a significant negative correlation observed between Çd concentration with body weight and body length. Çonclusion: The levels of Zn, Çu and Pb was below than the established limits by WHÔ, FÂÔ, and ËPÂ but levels of Çd was exceeded than the limits of WHÔ and ËPÂ standards. These results can be a warning for consumers of these fish, especially vulnerable people. Daily intake calculation showed that a meal consumption of this fish per week no prohibition for an adult consumer.