A survey of cadmium and zinc in Sand smelt (Atherina boyeri caspia) from Anzali International Wetland

Although heavy metals naturally occur in the aquatic environment, but their level elevating by human activities. These contaminants concentrate in the aquatic organisms and their concentrations increase throughout the food chain. The presence of heavy metals in fish is important to humans because of food consumption. Therefore, in this study, 30 Atherina boyeri were collected from Anzali International Wetland in the summer of 2013 and the concentrations of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in their muscle tissues were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed there was a significant difference between the mean concentrations (µg/g) of Cd (0.08± 0.035) and Zn (9.27±1.24) in the muscle tissue of A. boyeri (p < 0.05). Target hazard quotient levels for each metal as well as TTHQ were lower than one, indicating that consumers would not experience health risks. In general, comparing the concentrations of Zn and Cd with international standards indicated that the levels of these metals were lower than the standards. Daily and weekly intake of Zn and Cd by the consumption of A. boyeri were lower than the acceptable intake recommended by the JECFA. In stand of Zn and Cd, adults can consume 2.27 and 0.8 kg/day and children 0.47 and 0.16 kg/day, respectively, without causing any non-carcinogenic health effects. In general, there appears to be little risk of exposure to metals associated with the consumption of A. boyeri for consumers.