Accumulation of Some Metals in Muscles of Five Fish Species from Lower Nitra River

Abstract

This paper reports the results of accumulated selected metals concentrations (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb, Cd, Hg and meHg) in the muscle of five common Slovak fish species (Chub–Leuciscus cephalus, Common carp—Cyprinus carpio, Prussian carp—Carassius gibelio, Roach—Rutilus rutilus, and Wels catfish—Silurus glanis). Furthermore, correlations among the selected metals and order of metal accumulation in the fish muscle were determined. The concentrations of metals (mg/kg wet weight basis) ranged as follows: Fe 3.70–21.10; Mn 0.27–1.50; Zn 3.72–42.82; Cu 0.26–1.82; Ni 0.02–0.29; Co 0.06–0.28; Cr 0.09–0.28; Pb 0.08–34.59; Cd 0.06–2.76, Hg 0.34–3.64 and meHg 0.08–1.20. The level of lead and mercury exceeded the maximum allowed concentration in Slovakia by the Codex Alimentarius for safe human consumption (0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively) in the majority of samples (94.6 and 82.1%, respectively). Content of Cd (0.88 ± 0.76 mg/kg wet weight) in the fish muscle exceeded maximum allowed levels (0.05 mg/kg) in all samples. An average, the order of metal concentrations in the fish muscle was: Fe > Zn > Pb > Cd > Hg > Cu > Mn > meHg > Ni > Cr > Co.

Key Words:

• Metals
• Accumulation
• Fish
• Nitra River
• Slovakia

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We would like to express our gratitude to M. Rakovsky, MSc. for technical assistance and J.E. Poston for language corrections. This study was supported by VEGA Scientific Grant 1/2417/05 from the Ministry of Education of Slovak Republic.

Notes

* P < 0.05

** P < 0.01

***P < 0.001.