Toxicity and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mullet fish Liza klunzingeri (Mugilidae: Perciformes)

Abstract

The mullet fish, Liza klunzingeri, commercially important and widely relished by Kuwaiti residents, and the stressed ecosystem in Kuwait Bay instigated us to conduct toxicity and bioaccumulation tests on heavy metals (Pb, Ni, V, Cu and Fe). Among five metals, Pb had the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) at 1 μg l ⁻¹. Using multi-factor Probit analysis, toxicity tests (72 h) on L. klunzingeri reared in filtered sea water in the laboratory showed Pb with maximum effect at median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) followed by V, Ni, Cu and Fe. Their bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was in the sequence Pb>V>Fe>Cu and Ni. For fish exposed for 30 d, bioaccumulation exhibited increasing metal levels in liver followed by gills and muscles. These results suggest the potential use of L. klunzingeri as a bioindicator of metal pollution in the future.

Keywords:

• Heavy metals
• Fish
• Bioaccumulation
• Toxicity

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Kuwait Foundation of Advancement Studies for the financial support to research projects KFAS 2002-04-01 and KFAS 2000-05-02. We are grateful to the Research Administration, Kuwait University and Mr Shakri, Environmental Public Authority, Kuwait, for sample analyses in the ICP-MS.