Determination and comparisons of heavy metals (Cobalt and Iron) accumulation in muscle, liver, and gill tissues of Golden Mullet (Chelon aurata) in coastal areas of the Caspian Sea (Mazandaran and Golestan provinces of Iran)

Abstract

The present research has aimed to figure out the amount of two heavy metals (Cobalt and Iron) accumulation, in muscle, liver, and gill tissues of Chelon aurata (golden mullet) in coastal districts of the Caspian Sea in two provinces of Iran and compare these data with their standard levels that advertised by some health organizations. It is because this species currently has the second-highest percentage of catch in the Iranian coastal of the Caspian Sea. Sampling mature Chelon aurata (C. aurata) was done in 6 stations of beach areas and 30 mature Chelon aurata were chosen to run the study. The biometric results illustrated that the highest recorded data of average body weight (BW), body length (BL), and fork length (FL) were related to gulden mullet which were caught at the coastal district of Behshahr station, however, the golden mullet fish caught at Gomishan beach had the lowest recorded figures of body weight (p<0.05). The most amount of accumulation of Cobalt and Iron was recorded in Behshahr which showed a statistically significant difference with the other stands (p<0.05). The liver, gill, and muscle samples had the most Cobalt and Iron accumulation, respectively (Liver>Gill>Muscle). According to the recorded data at present research, the accumulation balances of two heavy metals, Cobalt and Iron, were much lower than their announced standard ranges of World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is therefore recommended that utilization of this kind of fish which has grown under that environment is useless for human consumption.