Trace Metals Toxicity to the Body Structures of Mullet Liza Klunzingeri (Mugilidae: Perciformes)

Abstract

Rapid industrialization, installation of mega-desalination plants and suspected trace metals discharges in the Kuwait marine environment instigated us to determine the trace metals toxicity on the body structures (first dorsal fin, otolith and scales) of the commercially relished mullet fish, Liza klunzingeri. 96 h toxicity test with Fe, Cd, Ni, As, showed the body structure of L. klunzingeri to attain LOEC (lowest observed effective concentration) at test concentrations of 10μg/L, 4.0μgL, 8.0μg/L and 2.0μg/L, respectively. Observation revealed high metal concentrations in scales followed by first dorsal fin and otolith irrespective of the sampling sites. Mean bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in body structures was high in the sequence of Ni> Fe > As >Cd. Trace metals bioaccumulation was high in samples reared in Kuwait Bay than in the Kuwait coastal waters. These findings supported evidences to body structures of L. klunzingeri as an indicator to trace metal pollution besides its use for species aging.