Abstract
Levels of some trace and essential elements, including Al, B, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn, were determined in 17 different fish species from Sakarya River, Çark Stream, Sapanca Lake, and Western Black Sea using ICP-OES after microwave (MW) digestion procedure. During preparation of samples for analysis, wet and MW digestion methods were also compared. Accuracy of the digestion methods was checked by the analysis of DORM-3 reference material (Fish Protein Certified Reference Material for Trace Metals). Concentrations of trace elements were found as Al: 6.5–48.5, B: 0.06–3.30, Ba: 0.09–2.92, Cr: 0.02–1.64, Cu: 0.13–2.28, Fe: 7.28–39.9, Mn: 0.08–11.4, Ni: 0.01–26.1, Sr: 0.17–13.5, and Zn: 11.5–52.9 µg g−1. The obtained results were compared with other studies published in the literature. Trace element levels in various fish species collected from waters in Sakarya region were found to be below limit values provided by Turkish Food Codex (TFC), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Health Organization (WHO).
Highlights
It is significantly important to determine and monitor heavy metal levels in foodstuffs, seafood, because heavy metal ions can accumulate in such food compared to other foodstuffs and cause harmful effects on human health [1, 2]
Fish is especially recommended to infants, elderly, cardiac patients, those who had a brain hemorrhage, and those experiencing digestion problems because it has high mineral content and low energy level [9]
The results were discussed by comparing with previous studies reported in the literature as well as standard values in Turkish Food Codex (TFC), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Health Organization (WHO)
Summary
It is significantly important to determine and monitor heavy metal levels in foodstuffs, seafood, because heavy metal ions can accumulate in such food compared to other foodstuffs and cause harmful effects on human health [1, 2]. Discharge of industrial waste water without a pretreatment into lakes, rivers, stream, and sea primarily causes an increase in heavy metal ion concentration in such water environments. Such waters are speedily polluted by chemical substances, paints, petroleum products, and industrial, domestic, and modern agriculture wastes [3, 4]. Consumption of fish and seafood is useful for human health, it may cause toxic effects by transmission into human body by food of heavy metal ions as a result of accumulation in fish’s body of pollutants that may be present in water and cause a risk for human health [10, 11]. The results were discussed by comparing with previous studies reported in the literature as well as standard values in Turkish Food Codex (TFC), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Health Organization (WHO)
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