Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparative investigation of heavy metal, trace, and macro element contents in commercially valuable fish species harvested off from the Persian Gulf

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study was performed to determine the differences between two commercial species of fish harvested off near the Kharg Island (one of the largest oil terminals in the world) in the Persian Gulf in terms of toxic metals, macro, and trace elements. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results showed that Ca, Li, Mg, P, Se, Sn, Sr, and Zn concentrations were significantly different between the skin and muscle tissues of Scomberomorus guttatus but with the exception of P, there was no significant difference between element levels in the skin and muscle tissues of Otolithes ruber. The S. guttatus contained significantly higher levels of As, Sn, Se, and P in the muscle tissue and Zn in the skin tissue compared to the muscle and skin tissues of Otolithes ruber. The estimated daily intake of the toxic elements including As, Cd, Sb, Pb, and Sn via consumption of these fish were below the established guidelines but due to the potential contamination by oil activities near the island, continuous and permanent monitoring in this region is highly recommended.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alibabic V, Vahcic N, Bajramovic M (2007) Bioaccumulation of metals in fish of Salmonidae family and the impact on fish meat quality. Environ Monit Assess 131:349–364. doi:10.1007/s10661-006-9480-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Annual Fishery Statistics of Iran (2010) Consumption of fish in Iran. Ministry of Agriculture: pp 36–40.

  • Brucka-Jastrzêbska E, Kawczuga D, Rajkowska M, Protasowicki M (2009) Levels of microelements [Cu, Zn, Fe] and macroelements [Mg, Ca] in freshwater fish. J Elem 14:437–447

    Google Scholar 

  • Canli M, Atli G (2003) The relationships between heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and the size of six Mediterranean fish species. Environ Pollut 121:129–136. doi:10.1016/S0269-7491(02)00194-X

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho ML, Santiago S, Nunes ML (2005) Assessment of the essential element and heavy metal content of edible fish muscle. Anal Bioanal Chem 382:426–432. doi:10.1007/s00216-004-3005-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collette BB, Nauen CE (1983) Scombrids of the word: an annoted and illustrated catalogue of tunas, mackerels, bonitos and related species known to date. FAO Species Catalog 2

  • Dobaradaran S, Naddafi K, Nazmara S, Ghaedi H (2010) Heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb) content in two fish species of Persian Gulf in Bushehr Port. Iran Afr J Biotechnol 9:6191–6193

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dobaradaran S, Abadi DRV, Mahvi AH, Javid A (2011) Fluoride in skin and muscle of two commercial species of fish harvested off the Bushehr Shores of the Persian Gulf fluoride 44:143–146

  • Dural M, Goksu MZL, Ozak AA (2007) Investigation of heavy metal levels in economically important fish species captured from the Tuzla lagoon. Food Chem 102:415–421. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.03.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EGVM (Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals) (2003) Risk assessment: nickel, http://archive.food.gov.uk/dept_health/pdf/evmpdf/evm9924.pdf

  • Fallah AA, Saei-Dehkordi SS, Nematollahi A, Jafari T (2011) Comparative study of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues of farmed and wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using ICP-OES technique. Microchem J 98:275–279. doi:10.1016/j.microc.2011.02.007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FAO/WHO (1989) EValuation of certain food AdditiVes and contaminants; technical report series 759. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes C, Fontainhas-Fernandes A, Cabral D, Salgado MA (2008) Heavy metals in water, sediment and tissues of Liza saliens from Esmoriz-Paramos Lagoon. Port Environ Monit Assess 136:267–275. doi:10.1007/s10661-007-9682-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer W, Bianchi G (1984) FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean (Fishing Area 51) 4

  • Giannakopoulou L, Neofitou C (2014) Heavy metal concentrations in Mullus barbatus and Pagellus erythrinus in relation to body size, gender, and seasonality. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21:7140–7153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jarić I, Višnjić-Jeftić Ž, Cvijanović G, Gačić Z, Jovanović L, Skorić S, Lenhardt M (2011) Determination of differential heavy metal and trace element accumulation in liver, gills, intestine and muscle of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) from the Danube River in Serbia by ICP-OES. Microchem J 98:77–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kagi JH, Schaffer A (1988) Biochemistry of metallothionein. Biochem 27:8509–8515

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan AH, Ali M, Biaswas SK, Hadi DA (1987) Trace-elements in marine fish from the Bay of Bengal. Sci Total Environ 61:121–130. doi:10.1016/0048-9697(87)90362-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malik RN, Hashmi MZ, Huma Y (2014) Heavy metal accumulation in edible fish species from Rawal Lake Reservoir. Pak Environ Sci Pollut Res 21:1188–1196

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mansour SA, Sidky MM (2002) Ecotoxicological studies. 3. Heavy metals contaminating water and fish from fayoum governorate. Egypt Food Chem 78:15–22. doi:10.1016/S0308-8146(01)00197-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marin-Guirao L, Lloret J, Marin A (2008) Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes and metal concentration in food webs from a mining-impacted coastal lagoon. Sci Total Environ 393:118–130. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.12.023

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mendil D, Uluözlü ÖD, Hasdemir E, Tüzen M, Sarı H, Suiçmez M (2005) Determination of trace metal levels in seven fish species in lakes in Tokat. Turk Food Chem 90:175–179. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.03.039

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mendil D, Demirci Z, Tuzen M, Soylak M (2010) Seasonal investigation of trace element contents in commercially valuable fish species from the Black sea. Turk Food Chem Toxicol 48:865–870. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2009.12.023

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muñoz O et al (2000) Total and inorganic arsenic in fresh and processed fish products. J Agric Food Chem 48:4369–4376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olojo EAA, Olurin KB, Mbaka G, Oluwemimo AD (2005) Histopathology of the gill and liver tissues of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus exposed to lead. Afr J Biotechnol 4:117–122

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perugini M, Visciano P, Manera M, Zaccaroni A, Olivieri V, Amorena M (2014) Heavy metal (As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, Se) concentrations in muscle and bone of four commercial fish caught in the central Adriatic Sea. Italy Environ Monit Assess 186:2205–2213

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pyle GG, Rajotte JW, Couture P (2005) Effects of industrial metals on wild fish populations along a metal contamination gradient. Ecotox Environ Safe 61:287–312. doi:10.1016/j.econenv.2004.09.003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saei-Dehkordi SS, Fallah AA (2011) Determination of copper, lead, cadmium and zinc content in commercially valuable fish species from the Persian Gulf using derivative potentiometric stripping analysis. Microchem J 98:156–162. doi:10.1016/j.microc.2011.01.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Santos LFP, Trigueiro INS, Lemos VA, Furtunato DMD, Cardoso RDV (2013) Assessment of cadmium and lead in commercially important seafood from Sao Francisco do Conde, Bahia. Brazil Food Control 33:193–199. doi:10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.02.024

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Somers E (1974) Toxic potential of trace-metals in foods. Rev J Food Sci 39:215–217. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.1974.tb02860.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tüzen M (2003) Determination of heavy metals in fish samples of the middle Black Sea (Turkey) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Food Chem 80:119–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuzen M (2009) Toxic and essential trace elemental contents in fish species from the Black Sea. Turk Food Chem Toxicol 47:1785–1790. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2009.04.029

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tuzen M, Soylak M (2007) Determination of trace metals in canned fish marketed in Turkey. Food Chem 101:1378–1382. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.03.044

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tuzen M, Karaman I, Cıtak D, Soylak M (2009) Mercury (II) and methyl mercury determinations in water and fish samples by using solid phase extraction and cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry combination. Food Chem Toxicol 47:1648–1652. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2009.04.024

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uluozlu OD, Tuzen M, Mendil D, Soylak M (2007) Trace metal content in nine species of fish from the Black and Aegean Seas. Turk Food Chem 104:835–840. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.01.003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uysal K, Emre Y, Köse E (2008) The determination of heavy metal accumulation ratios in muscle, skin and gills of some migratory fish species by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in Beymelek Lagoon (Antalya/Turkey). Microchem J 90:67–70. doi:10.1016/j.microc.2008.03.005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verep B, Akin S, Mutlu C, Ertugral B, Apaydin G, Cevik U (2007) Assesment of trace elements in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cultured in the marine aquaculture cages on the black sea coast. Fresenius Environ Bull 16:1005

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Visnjic-Jeftic Z, Jaric I, Jovanovic L, Skoric S, Smederevac-Lalic M, Nikcevic M, Lenhardt M (2010) Heavy metal and trace element accumulation in muscle, liver and gills of the Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata Bennet 1835) from the Danube River (Serbia). Microchem J 95:341–344. doi:10.1016/j.microc.2010.02.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1999) Food safety issues associated with product from aquaculture. WHO Technical Report Series 883

  • WHO (2003) Chemical hazards in drinking water WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality

  • WHO (2006) Sixty-seventh meeting of the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives; 20–29 June 2006, Rome, http://www.who.int/ipcs/food/jecfa/summaries/summary67pdf

  • Yilmaz F, Ozdemir N, Demirak A, Tuna AL (2007) Heavy metal levels in two fish species Leuciscus cephalus and Lepomis gibbosus. Food Chem 100:830–835. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.09.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Bushehr University of Medical Science for financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Rishehr Street, Bushehr, P.O. Box 7518759577, Iran

    Dariush Ranjbar Vakil Abadi, Sina Dobaradaran, Masoumeh Ravanipour & Rahim Tahmasebi

  2. Systems Environmental Health, Oil, Gas and Energy Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

    Sina Dobaradaran

  3. The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Boostan 19 Alley, Imam Khomeini Street, Bushehr, 7514763448, Iran

    Sina Dobaradaran

  4. Department of Infectious Diseases, The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research, Boostan 19 Alley, Imam Khomeini Street, Bushehr, 7514763448, Iran

    Iraj Nabipour

  5. Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, University Duisburg-Essen, 45141, Essen, Germany

    Xolelwa Lamani

  6. School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, P.O. Box 6446, Iran

    Shahrokh Nazmara

Authors
  1. Dariush Ranjbar Vakil Abadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sina Dobaradaran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Iraj Nabipour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xolelwa Lamani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Masoumeh Ravanipour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Rahim Tahmasebi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shahrokh Nazmara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sina Dobaradaran.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Abadi, D.R.V., Dobaradaran, S., Nabipour, I. et al. Comparative investigation of heavy metal, trace, and macro element contents in commercially valuable fish species harvested off from the Persian Gulf. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 6670–6678 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3852-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3852-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation