Heavy metal levels in economically important fish species sold by fishermen in Karatas (Adana / TURKEY)

Karayakar, Fahri | Işık, Umut | Cicik, Bedii

In this study, heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb and As) levels in the muscle of economically important fish species (Trachurus mediterraneus, Sparus aurata and Pegusa lascaris) living in different water columns in the North-East Mediterranean Sea were measured. Fish were bought from local fishermen between September 2016-August 2017 in Karatas¸ region (Adana, Turkey). Levels of Cd, Cr, Pb and As were highest in the muscle of T. mediterraneus, S. aurata and P. lascaris in the autumn season, while Cu levels were highest in T. mediterraneus and S. aurata in the spring season. The lowest and highest levels of Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb and As in the muscle of fish were 0.11–0.37, 0.09–0.57, 0.03–0,28, 0.002–0.03, 0.04–0.11 and 0.09–0.49 (μg/g w.w.), respectively. Metal levels in muscle tissues were wit...