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)
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Abstract
The present research aimed to determine the accumulation of two heavy metals, cobalt and iron, in the muscle, liver, and gill tissues of Chelon aurata (golden mullet) collected from coastal districts of the Caspian Sea in two provinces of Iran and to compare these data with standard levels announced by health organizations. This species currently has the second-highest percentage of catch along the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea.
Sampling of mature Chelon aurata (C. aurata) was conducted at six coastal stations, and 30 mature specimens were selected for the study. The biometric results illustrated that the highest recorded average body weight (BW), body length (BL), and fork length (FL) were related to golden mullet caught at the Behshahr coastal station, whereas fish caught at Gomishan beach had the lowest recorded body weight values (p < 0.05).
The highest accumulation of cobalt and iron was recorded in fish collected from Behshahr, showing a statistically significant difference compared with the other stations (p < 0.05). Among the examined tissues, the liver showed the highest accumulation of cobalt and iron, followed by the gills and muscles (Liver > Gill > Muscle). According to the recorded data in the present research, the accumulation levels of cobalt and iron were much lower than the standard permissible limits announced by the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and United States Department of Agriculture. Therefore, the results indicate that consumption of this fish species from the studied environment does not pose a health risk for human consumption.
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