Quantitative analysis of heavy metals in muscle, liver and gill tissues of Euryglossa orientalis in northern Persian Gulf waters

In this research, concentrations of heavy metals (i.e., cadmium, lead, copper) in muscle, liver and gill tissues of Euryglossa orientalis (Family: Soleidae) in two fishing areas, from northern Persian Gulf that names Hendijan port (Bahrekan) in Khuzestan province and Deylam port in Bushehr province were measured and compared. Fifty fish samples randomly were collected from Hendijan and Deylam ports each from 3 stations, in summer 2008. Tissue samples were digested using MOOPAM method and metal concentrations (Cd, Pb, Cu) were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Cadmium, lead and copper concentrations were varied significantly among gills, liver and muscle tissues of fish samples in any area from Hendijan and Deylam. In Hendijan area higher mean (±SD) concentrations of cadmium and copper were observed in the liver (2.11±0.22 and 366.41±15.63μg/g, respectively. Lower concentrations in the muscle (0.70±0.07 and 5.08±0.27μg/g respectively. In Deylam area higher mean (±SD) concentrations of cadmium and copper were observed in the liver (1.47±0.10 and 240.24±10.50μg/g, respectively lower concentrations in the muscle (0.49±0.07 and 3.08±0.52μg/g), respectively. In Hendijan area higher concentration with mean (±SD) of lead was observed in the gill (10.72±1.71μg/g with lower concentration was noted in the muscle (5.20±0.05μg/g) of fish. In Deylam area higher mean (±SD) concentration of lead was observed in the gill (6.91±0.52μg/g) with lower concentration in the muscle (4.09±0.52μg/g). In general, our study showed that concentration of heavy metals in different tissues of fish in Hendijan area was significantly higher than Deylam area. Also, cadmium and lead concentrations in muscle tissue of Euryglossa orientalis in both sampling area were higher than the acceptable limits reported by WHO, FAO, ITS and others. *Corresponding author