Comparative Analysis of Marine Fish for the Content of Pollutants in the Eurasian Region

Abstract

The aim of the work was to measure the concentration of organochlorine insecticides, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons from the oil series in samples of marine fish from diverse oceans in the region. To achieve the goal, the methods of high-performance liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectrometry, as well as the statistical method, were used. A total of 250 marine fish samples collected from the Caspian, Black, Baltic, Azov, and Okhotsk seas were analysed. The results of the study showed significant concentrations of organochlorine pesticides, including isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), in fish living in the Caspian, Black and Baltic Seas. Specifically, the Caspian Sea is found to have the highest HCH content of 0.2123 mg/kg, while the Black Sea and Baltic Sea show 0.2031 mg/kg and 0.0187 mg/kg respectively. Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) have also been found in fish samples. A comparative analysis of the content of pollutants in marine fish of the Eurasian region allows to draw the following conclusions: in fish living in the Caspian, Black and Baltic seas, there is a high concentration of organochlorine pesticides, heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons. This indicates significant pollution of the marine ecosystem by these substances. These studies highlight the need to control pollution of marine fish with pollutants and monitor the state of marine ecosystems to ensure the safety of fish consumption and public health.