Determination of Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu) in Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) from Miankaleh International Wetland and Human Health Risk

Background and The release of metals due to different natural and human activities, bioaccumulation, biological inseparability and toxicity, even in low densities, have caused serious threat to living creatures and human. This study evaluated the concentration of heavy metals including lead, cadmium, zinc and copper in edible tissues of Caspian Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) in Miankaleh International Wetland and the health risk resulted from consumption of this fish. During fishing season, 20 White fishes were collected from Miankaleh International Wetland with the permission of Environmental Protection organization. The densities of heavy metals in skin and muscles were determined using atomic absorption (Scientific Equipment GBS). Data was analyzed using SPSS V.16. The mean densities of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper in the skin were 3.4, 0.48, 40.55, and 3.3, respectively and 2.1, 0.39, 16.52, 4.5 microgram per gram of the wet weight in muscle tissues, respectively. A significant difference was seen in the concentration of heavy metals between the skin and the muscle tissue (p<0.01). The observed EDI and EWI were found lower than the guidelines recommended by WHO and FAO. According to this study the concentration of zinc and copper in whitefish were lower than the standard levels, so its consumption is not a threat to the health of consumers. However, the levels of cadmium and lead in edible tissues of whitefish were found higher than international levels. Hence, the pollutants of Miankaleh wetland (i.e. industrial and agricultural wastewater) should be highly controlled.