A study of mercury concentration in organs of Zander fish (Sander lucioperca) in the Caspian Sea

Abstract

We studied mercury bioaccumulation in liver, gill, skin and muscle of Zander fish and its relationships with weight, age and sex factors and compared the results with world standard levels. We collected 21 specimens of the fish in winter 2005 from south west Caspian Sea inshore waters stretching from Jefroud fishery station to Anzali wetland. We conducted biometrical measurements and sex determination and studied mercury concentration in different organs of the fish using Advanced Mercury Analyzer apparatus. Based on the results, the mercury concentration in muscle, liver, gill and skin as ppb per dry weight were 0.097±0.014, 0.338+0.097, 0.093±0.011 and 0.035±0.007, respectively. The results showed significant differences between age and weight factors and mercury accumulation in studied organs (P<0.05) while sex factor had no significant difference in terms of mercury concentration (P<0.05). The comparison of the mercury bioaccumulation with universal standard threshold levels (WHO, FAO and FDA) showed lower concentration than authorized for mercury.