Heavy metal concentrations in different tissues of Euryglossa orientalis, Chirocentrus nudus and sediments in Bahrekan Bay (the northwest of Persian Gulf)

Abstract

Concentrations of Ni, V, Pb and Cu were determined in bottom sediments and liver, gills and fillet of Euryglossa orientalis and Chirocentrus nudus along the Bahrekan Bay in the Northwest part of the Persian Gulf in Iran. Sediment samples and fish species were collected during winter 2013 and spring 2014. Heavy metal analysis was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results showed that mean concentrations of heavy metals were high in liver and gills of E. orientali. Also heavy metals had the most accumulation in liver of E. orientali. Target tissue for accumulation of Ni, V, Cu and Pb were gills and liver in E. orientali and C. nudus. In tissues of two fish species fillet has the minimum concentration level of trace elements. The concentrations of heavy metals were lower than legal limits in the fillet (edible part), except for Pb that was higher than permitted limits for human consumption. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were determined for different tissues of fish species with respect to elemental concentrations in sediment. Results of BAFs indicated that all BAFs in liver were more than that in gills which were higher than that in fillet. Also BAF of Cu in liver and gills of E. orientali was more than 1.