Heavy metals (Hg,Cd,Pb,Ni,Cu) concentrations in Euryglossa orientalis and sediments from Khur-e-Musa Creek in Khuzestan Province

Heavy metals contamination (Hg,Cd,Pb,Ni,Cu) in muscle of the fish Euryglossa orientalis and in sediments was assessed in 2007 in Khur-e-Musa Creek (Ahmadi and Ghanam). In total, 30 fish specimens and 18 sediment samples were collected and analyzed. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used to determine contamination of the specimens with Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, and cold vapor method was applied for Hg. Results showed 2.35, 0.99, 1.32, 14.48 and 5.71μg/g dry weight of the fish for Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cu in muscle tissue, respectively. Metal levels in the muscle tissue were compared with standard values such as those of the World Health Organization (WHO), British Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), Australia National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), based on which only Hg, Cd, and Ni showed higher than standard levels in Khur-e-Musa Creek (Ahmadi and Ghanam). Results showed 4.76, 2.52, 18.64, 119.91, 31.23μg/g dry weight for Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cu in sediments, respectively.