Evaluation of some heavy metal levels in Zarivar international wetland by monitoring of Cyprinus carpio

Zarivar international wetland has high ecological significance and are treasure of genetic resources. Thus, assessment of pollution in this ecosystem is necessary that can be performed by use of aquatic organisms as biological indicators such as fish. This research ýwas carried out in order to evaluation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Zn ) in Zarivar international wetland by ýmeasuingt these metals in muscle tissue of Cyprinus carpio. For this purpose, sampling was done during ýthe seasons winter 2013 from the study area. After biometry of the catch fishes samples, muscle ýtissues dissected and samples were prepared and analyzed. Concentrations of selected metals in ýmuscle tissue by acid digestionþ þmethod (HNO3:HClO4)ýþ þwere measured using an atomic absorption ýspectrophotometer (HR-CS AAS)ýþ.þý Statistical analyses were done using the SPSS software. ý The mean ýconcentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn in carpio muscle were 0.4, 0.33 and 127.5 μg/g dry weight, ýrespectively. The results indicated no significant differences in metal concentration between the males ýand females. The metals concentrations in muscles of this species were below the recommended limits by world ýorganizations with exception of Cd that was above the permissible limits by NHMRC.ý It seem be that agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge are the main anthropogenic source of these toxic heavy metals in the Zarivar international wetland.