Determination of the Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation Patterns in Muscles of Two Species of Mullets from the Southern Caspian Sea

Abstract

Although fish is a food that supplies nutrients of a high biological value, they can also be a source of some harmful substances, such as heavy metals. In the same context, some human activities in the Caspian Sea have contaminated this ecosystem during the past few years. For those reasons, our objective consisted of determining the concentrations of heavy metals and evaluating their bioaccumulation patterns in the different types of musculature in two species of mullets of commercial interest, Chelon auratus and Chelon saliens, from the southern coast of this sea. For this purpose, 20 C. auratus and 29 C. saliens were caught off this coastline and the metal concentrations in 3 different muscle locations were analyzed: the ventral, dorsal and caudal muscles of each fish. The caudal muscle had higher concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, whereas As, Hg and Ni accumulation seemed to be independent of the musculature type. Overall, the Cd, Hg, and Pb concentrations exceeded the maximum levels permitted in fish by the European Union. In addition, the relationships between pairs of metals were positive and elevated in all the cases, which could be a sign of heavy metal pollution in the region sampled. Therefore, it will be necessary to continue monitoring and evaluating the degree of pollution in the Caspian Sea.

Morphological and Functional Alterations in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Liver after Exposure to Two Ecologically Relevant Concentrations of Lead

“…Extensive data from the literature demonstrate that heavy metals must be recognized as priority pollutants due to their pervasive and persistent distribution in all environmental compartments [1][2][3]55]. Pb is highly toxic and non-biodegradable, and it is widely acknowledged as one of the most dangerous heavy metals for living organisms [8,9,56,57].…”

Heavy Metals in Poultry Chicken and Human Health Threat: A Mini Review

“…Cd has teratogenic consequences in various animals, including chickens, such as appendage deformities, ear abnormalities, and gastrointestinal problems [46,47]. In addition, exposure to Cd can cause eosinophilia, osteoporosis, chronic rhinitis, anemia, and non-hypertrophic emphysema [48,49]. When blood levels of Cd surpass the capacity of metallothionine to bind it, free Cd causes the generation of lipid peroxidases and free radicals, which are detrimental to the kidneys and liver [50].…”

Heavy metal toxicity in poultry: a comprehensive review

“…Cd has teratogenic consequences in various animals, including chickens, such as appendage deformities, ear abnormalities, and gastrointestinal problems ( 55 , 56 ). Additionally, non-hypertrophic emphysema, osteoporosis, persistent rhinitis, anemia, and eosinophilia can all result from Cd exposure ( 57 , 58 ). When the amount of Cd in the blood exceeds the metallothionine ability to bind it, free Cd triggers the production of free radicals and lipid peroxidases, which harm the liver and kidneys ( 59 ).…”