Survey of cadmium level in the farmed carp, water and sediments of farm ponds in Khuzestan province

In this research، cadmium (Cd) concentration in the muscle، liver، and gill tissues of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio)، sediment، and water of ponds along the Karoun river was investigated in three regions including north (Shushtar)، center (Ahwaz) and south (Khorramshahr) of Khuzestan province in autumn 2010. The highest and lowest concentrations of Cd in muscle tissues were 0. 18 mg Cd kg-1 dry matter (Shushtar)، and 0. 06 mg Cd kg-1 dry matter (Khoramshahr) respectively. The results showed that Cd concentration was more than EU (2005) limit value (0. 05 mg Cd kg-1 dry weight). Cadmium concentrations in sediment and water had significant differences (p<0. 05). The highest and lowest Cd concentrations in the sediment of Khoramshahr and Shushtar were 3. 85 and 1. 9 mg Cd kg-1 dry weight، respectively while in water they were 1. 84 µg l-1 inShushtar، and 0. 85 µg l-1 in Khoramshahr respectively. The concentration of Cd in common carp organs were as follow: liver> gill> muscle. Therefore، the concentration and the load of Cd pollution in sediment is increased from Shushtar to Khoramshahr regions.