Heavy Metal Concentrations in Predator Fish

Abstract

Waters can be polluted by heavy metals which are accumulated and concentrated by fish ; therefore they show the degree of environmental pollution. The aim of this paper was to determine concentrations of heavy metals in water, mud and fish organs, to determine whether these concentrations are allowed and in accordance with normative provisions and, considering the pollution by heavy metals, if the fish meat is hygienically safe food of animal origin. Concentrations of heavy metals (lead, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc) were determined in water, mud and different organs (liver, kidney, intestine, milt and skin + muscle) of pike (Esox lucius) and European catfish (Silurus glanis) by Energy Dispersive X – Ray Fluorescence Method (EDXRF). Statistically significant difference was determined between the concentrations of heavy metals in mud and water (p< 0.05), as well as in fish organs (p< 0.05). The obtained results show that the highest concentrations of heavy metals were determined in liver, and the lowest ones in skin and muscle, i.e. in edible fish parts. In accordance with normative provisions of the European Union and the Republic of Croatia, the determined values are lower than the maximally allowed concentrations of heavy metals in fish muscle. When the pollution by heavy metals is taken into account, it indicates that the researched fish meat is hygienically safe food of animal origin.