The Evaluation of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Whiting Fish (Merlanguis merlangus euxinus Nordmann, 1840), a Local and Economic Species of the Central Black Sea Region

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the heavy metal cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) accumulations in muscle tissues, gills, gonads, liver, and other visceral organs (liver) of whiting fish (Merlanguis merlangus euxinus Nordmann, 1840) samples obtained by hunting from the Sinop (Black Sea) coasts. The mean cadmium value in muscle tissue, which concerns public health, was found to be 1.07±0.02 µg.kg-1, the chromium value was found to be 1.48±0.07 µg.kg-1, the nickel value was found to be 1.77±0.14 µg.kg-1, the lead value was found to be 5.38±0.29 µg.kg-1 while the mercury value was determined only in the gill and could not be determined in organs, and since it was below the limit values declared by international organizations for all metals, it was determined that it would not create adverse effects for human consumption. Also, examining the order of accumulation of heavy metals in tissues and organs from highest to lowest, it was sorted as liver> visceral organ> gill> muscle> gonad for cadmium; visceral organ> gill> muscle> liver> gonad for chromium; visceral organ> gill> liver> muscle> gonad for nickel; gill> visceral organ> liver> muscle> gonad for lead, while the mercury accumulation was detected only in the gill. Also, the data obtained as a result of the analyses made in the gonad is an important determination in terms of the effects of heavy metals on the reproduction of the species, as well as on the continuity of the population. Since the values determined in the other analyzed tissues were below the limit values reported by international organizations, the results showed that they do not pose any threat to human health in terms of workplace and time, type, and determined heavy metals.