Bioaccumulation trends of Methylmercuty (MeHg) in different tissues of Beluga (Huso huso Brandt, 1869)

This study carried out in the Shahid Marjani sturgeon reproduction center from July to October 2006. MeHg bioaccumulation trends were measured in gill, liver, intestine, kidney and muscle tissues of the Beluga. The groups of Beluga juveniles were exposed to four dietary containing different concentration of MeHg during 70 days. The treatments were: 1- Control group (0.04 mg/kg) 2- Low dose group (0.76 mg/kg) 3- Medium dose group (7.8 mg/kg) 4- High dose group (16.22 mg/kg). The results indicated that bioaccumulation levels in all tissues were correlated positively with MeHg concentration in food and exposure duration. MeHg concentration in liver with 98% correlation was the highest and with 72% correlation in intestine had the least relationship with treatment duration. Final analysis showed that liver, muscle and kidney of Beluga can be considered as the index tissues for investigation of Hg bioaccumulation.