SOME HEAVY METAL LEVELS IN MUSCLE TISSUE OF SEVEN FISH SPECIES FROM THE SUGLA AND BEYSEHIR LAKES, TURKEY

Phoxinellus anatolicus, Carassius gibelio, Sander lucioperca, Vimba vimba tenella, Capoeta capoeta, Tinca tinca from Sugla Lake (Turkey) and P. anatolicus, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, T. tinca from Beysehir Lake (Turkey) are economically important fish species and these fish have been consumed as food by local people. P. anatolicus is also endangered and endemic species from Turkey. In this study, concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in muscle tissue of these fish by using atomic absorption spectrometer. Levels of metals in the muscle tissue of all the fish specimens were compared with results of previous studies, the tolerance levels of national and international guidelines and the levels of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) limits set by FAO/WHO. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb in the muscle tissue of all the fish specimens from Sugla and Beysehir Lakes exceeded the tolerance levels of national and international guidelines. However, concentrations of Cd, Fe, Pb and Zn were below PTWI limits. Therefore, in terms of these metal levels, consumption of fresh fillet of examined seven fish species (weekly up to about 0.3 kg/person) doesn't seem to be objectionable for human health.