Concentration of some metals in the muscles of fish from selected lakes of Warmia and Mazury region (Poland)

Abstract

In view of very scarce and limited information concerning the content of heavy metals in tissues of fish from the lakes in north-eastern Poland, the aim of the study was to determine the content of some heavy metals in the muscle tissue of two fish species: bream (Abramis brama) (n = 60) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) (n = 60) caught in selected lakes of Warmia and Mazury region (Poland) in 2010 as well as to asses human health safety. The concentration of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in the muscle tissue of bream and pikeperch was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentration of toxic metals (Pb and Hg) in muscles of bream was 0.07 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg, respectively, and 0.10 mg/kg and 0.13 mg/kg in muscles of pikeperch, respectively. The mean concentration of Cu, Fe and Zn found in the muscles of bream was 0.33 mg/kg, 7.27 mg/kg and 6.12 mg/kg in muscles of pikeperch it was 0.21 mg/kg, 5.56 mg/kg and 6.02 mg/kg, respectively. It was found that the content of the analysed metals in fish muscles was low and did not exceed the values of limits admissible in the European Union. At the assumed mean and maximum concentration of Pb and Hg, the values of PTWI (provisional tolerable weekly intake) were not exceeded (i.e. 0.56% PTWI for Pb and 3.01% PTWI for Hg), therefore the consumption of fish originating from selected lakes of Warmia and Mazury does not constitute a threat to consumer health.