ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Distribution of Heavy Metals in Tissues of Freshwater Fish in Lithuania
B. Staniskiene1, P. Matusevicius1, R. Budreckiene1, K.A. Skibniewska2
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1Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
2University of Warmia & Mazury in Olsztyn, Pl. Cieszynski 1, PL-10726 Olsztyn, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2006;15(4):585-591
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ABSTRACT
Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn and V (HMs) were determined in flesh, fishbone, liver, gill and intestine of 20 freshwater fish (perch, roach, silver bream, semi-bream, chub, smelt, tench and pike) netted in various Lithuania fresh waters. 90% of fish flesh samples were contaminated with Pb at the concentration below the maximum tolerable level of Lithuanian Standards of Hygiene, although one sample was contaminated with 3.125 mg/kg Pb, which is 8 times above the normal. 40% of fish flesh samples were contaminated with the concentration of cd exceeding the Maximum Tolerable Limit (MTL) value of the European Union. However, only in one fish flesh sample did Cd concentration exceed 1.5 times the Lithuanian MTL value. The concentration of HM in fishbone was higher than in fish flesh, except for Cr and V, where the concentration in bone and flesh was similar. The concentration of Pb and Cd in fishbone corresponded to the allowable standards for fodder additives, processed from fish products and other sea organisms. the highest amounts of Fe, Zn and Mn were found in fishbone and inner organs: liver, gill and intestine. The concentration of HM in inner organs of fish was from several to twelve times higher than that in flesh. The largest amount of HM was found in liver. In order to develop the fishing industry in freshwater reservoirs it is necessary to maintain water quality standards, to monitor water and fish flesh pollution regularly as well as to control the concentration of HM in fish.