Determination of Heavy Metals (Hg, Cd, Pb and Cu) in Carasobarbus luteus in Karun River, Iran

The present study was carried out to investigate the contamination of heavy metals Hg, Cd, Pb and Cu in liver and muscle of Carasobarbus luteus in Karun River from Iran, 2012. Heavy metal levels in fish samples were analyzed by Perkin Elmer 4100 zl atomic absorption. The results showed that the highest concentration of Hg, Cd, Pb and Cu in tissues was found in liver of Carasobarbus luteus. The lowest concentration of Hg, Cd, Pb and Cu in tissues was found in muscle of Carasobarbus luteus. Concentrations of Hg, Cd and Pb in muscle and liver of Carasobarbus luteus from Karun River of Ahvaz were higher than in Aghili (P<0.05), except for concentration of Cu that in Carasobarbus luteus from Aghili were higher than in Ahvaz (P<0.05). The mean estimated concentrations for Hg, Pb and Cu in the present study were lower than international standards for these metals as declare by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Food and Agriculture Organization and National Health & Medical Research Council, but concentrations of Cd were higher than international standards.

Heavy Metal Muscle Liver Carasobarbus luteus Karun River