Heavy metals accumulation in fish, a growing threat in the Caspian Sea

Abstract

Abstract: Water Pollution is a great concern all over the world specially in closed or semi-closed ecosystems like the Caspian Sea. Among the huge array of anthropogenic pollutants heavy metals have been responsible for several disastrous event damaging for aquatic biota and the man. Heavy metals enter the Caspian Sea through land-based oil exploration with over 100 years of history and offshore oil exploration which started 1950. Major rivers of the Caspian Sea watershed also have their share in ever increasing pollution in this unique water body. Fish are the main suspects of the pollution and sadly some of the unique specie of the Caspian Sea have already been vanishes extinct regionally or even globally and some are on the brink of extinction. Several studies conducted by authors and other researchers in the riparian countries of the Caspian Sea shows an increasing trend in heavy metal load via bioaccumulation and biomagnification in various tissues of sturgeons arguably the most valuable fish on the planet and also other bony fishes of great importance for local people and fishermen which rises health concern for fish itself and human. Strict measure should be taken and implemented to control and reduce heavy metal loads into water bodies in general and the Caspian Sea in particular. Strict measures should be taken and implemented under the observation of international organization to control od reduce heavy metal pollution in the Caspian Sea.