EVALUATION OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS AND PUBLIC HEALTH RISK OF FISH SPECIES OF VIMBA VIMBA, TINCA TINCA, SCARDINIUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS IN SAPANCA LAKE, TURKEY

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in Vimba vimba, Tinca tinca, Scardinius erythrophthalmus fish species, collected from Sapanca Lake, Turkey and public health risks. For this purpose, the muscle copper, zinc, lead, cadmium and arsenic concentrations of three fish species obtained in four different seasons (autumn, winter, spring and summer) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer. The metal concentrations showed seasonal variations in some fish species and also varied with respect to particular fish species. The concentrations of these metals were found to be within the permissible limits. The results showed that there was no important public health risk of heavy metal concentration in three fish species.