Estimate levels of petroleum hydrocarbons in green and golden mullet fishes (Liza subviridis, L. klunzingeri)‎ at Shatt Al-Basrah Canal

Abstract EN

The study was conducted from July 2008 to June 2009.

Green and gold mullet fishes were catched monthly using seine net.

Petroleum hydrocarbons are extracted from different tissues of studied fishes (Liza subviridis and L.

klunzingeri ) to determine the pollution levels of petroleum hydrocarbons and its accumulation in fishes.

Water temperature, salinity and transparency were measured in the various seasons during the study period.

High water temperature 31.5 C° was recorded during July.

Salinity of water was ranged between 5.5 ppt during March and 47.5 ppt during July, while the transparency of the water ranged from 37 cm during March and 61 cm during August.The concentrations of aromatic petroleum hydrocarbons in gills of green mullet fish ranged between 9.75 to 6.3 μg/gm during Spring and Summer respectively.

While11.66 to 5.8 μg/gm was recorded in gills of golden mullet fish during Spring and Summer respectively.

The result showed that there was a negative significant correlation (P<0.01) between hydrocarbon concentrations in the muscles of green and gold mullet fish with the water temperature and salinity whereas there was positive significant correlation (P<0.05) with dissolved and sedimentary hydrocarbons.

The lowest concentrations of dissolved and suspended hydrocarbons were recorded in Summer whereas the sedimentary hydrocarbons concentrations recorded in the Autumn.

In winter, all hydrocarbon forms recorded maximum values.