Research Information System
FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN, vol.16, no.8, pp.904-909, 2007 (SCI-Expanded)
Lake ecosystems are, in particular, vulnerable to heavy metal pollution. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of some heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) in three different tissues (muscle, liver and gill) of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L., 1758) and crucian carp (Carassius carassius L., 1758) from Kovada Lake by atomic absorption spectrometry. One-way ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Comparison Test were used to compare the data among seasons (level of 0.05). Cu concentrations in muscle and gill as well as Mn in muscle and liver of both species were below detection limits. Mean concentrations in muscle, liver and gill of pikeperch followed the sequences Fe > Zn; Fe > Zn > Cu; Fe > Zn > Mn, respectively, while in muscle, liver and gill of crucian carp, the distribution followed the orders Zn > Fe; Fe > Zn > Cu; Zn > Fe > Mn;, respectively. The metal accumulations in liver and gill of S. lucioperca and C carassius were found to be quite high, in comparison with the muscle. The effect of the seasons on heavy metal accumulation in tissues and organs of S. lucioperca and C carassius were also determined. In general, the concentrations of the tested metals were observed to be higher in spring and summer, but lower in autumn and winter. The analysed metals (Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) were found in the fish muscle at mean concentrations under the permissible FAO limits.