Determination of metals in tissues of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)and risk assessment of food consumption in the southeastern Caspian Sea

Heavy metalsdueto accumulation, bioaccumulation and hight toxicity are main contribution of concern in aquatic ecosystems. Wetland birdsbecause of their position in the top of food chain can be an indicator oflevel of metals in their environment. In this investigation30 mallard (15 male and 15 female) were collected fromSoutheast ofCaspian Sea. The concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), zink (Zn) and iron (Fe) in the liver, kidney and pectoral muscle of mallards were determined by atomic absorption Spectrophotometer method. Liver and kidney showedthe highest bioaccumulation of metals. The distribution pattern of Pb, Cd, and Cr respectively was kidney>liver>muscle, while Zn and Fe respectively was liver>kidney>muscle in mallard. Mean concentrations in the liver, muscle and kidney follows the sequence: Fe>Zn>Pb>Cd>Cr Fe>Zn>Pb>Cr>Cd, respectively. Females possessed significantly higher Fe in the liver than males (p