Evaluation of heavy metal accumulation in aquatic species (carp, salmon, trout, barred mackerel fishes and, marine and fresh shrimps)

Today, heavy metals are one of the most important toxic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, and living organisms and especially aquatic species are exposed to them. These elements in aquatic life are considered as potential bioaccumulation and a serious threat to human food chains. The aim was to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in aquatic species caught from the Caspian and South Sea.

Heavy metals of lead, cadmium and copper in six species of edible aquatic species were measured according to standard methods.

In the case of mercury metal, the highest amount was in barred mackerel and the lowest in fresh shrimp. The highest amount of lead metal was found in marine shrimp and the lowest in carp fish. The cadmium content of all samples was below the detection limit by device.

Differences in the concentrations of heavy metals among different aquatic species can be due to differences in aquatic ecological characteristics. Overall, it can be said that the level of heavy metals in most of the samples studied is lower or close to world standards.