Survey of Heavy Metals (Pb, Ni, Cu, Fe and Zn) Accumulation in Snow trout (Schizothorax zarudnyi)

This research aims to study the heavy metal accumulation of Pb, Ni, Cu, Fe, and Zn in muscle, gill, liver, and kidney tissues of Snow trout (Schizothorax zarudnyi) from Chahnime Water Reservoirs of Sistan. After sampling, preparation, and digestion using nitric acid, the concentration of each metal was measured in µg/g-1 dry weight using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (Konic NOVAA300). The results of this study showed that there is a significant difference between heavy metal concentrations in different Snow trout tissues (p<0.05). The heavy metal accumulation pattern in different tissues of this specie was Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Ni. Also, it was found that the metal accumulation amount of Pb, Ni, and Cu in the muscle tissue, which is the edible tissue, is higher than the limits set by global standards like WHO, FDA, FEPA, and NHMRC. Also, Zn concentration was higher than all of the mentioned standards except NHMRC which most certainly threatens the fish and human health.