Metal accumulation in sediment, water, and freshwater fish in a Dam Lake

Abstract

Metal concentrations were determined in water, sediment, and freshwater fish samples (Squalus cephalus, Barbus esocinus, and Barbus xanthopterus) collected from Karakaya Dam Lake, Turkey, to estimate the risk of human consumption and pollution. Metal concentrations differed between the species (p < 0.05) even as they were living in similar habitats. Metal analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Cd and Hg were not detected in water, sediment, and fish samples. Also, Mn, Ni, and Se were not determined in water. The accumulation order of the metals were found to be Fe > Zn = Cu in water and Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Cu in sediment. In general, the accumulation order of elements in the tissues all of the species sampled were found as Fe > Zn > Se > Mn > Cu > Ni > Cd in muscle, Zn > Fe > Mn > Se > Se > Cu > Ni > Cd in gills, Fe > Zn > Se > Mn > Cu > Ni > Cd in liver and gonad, and Zn > Fe > Cu > Mn > Se > Ni > Cd in kidney. It was concluded that the fish from the dam lake are not heavily burdened with metals, but they should be controlled periodically to avoid excessive intake of trace metals by humans, and to monitoring the pollution of aquatic environment.