Bioaccumulation of some heavy metals in the tissues of two fish species (barbus luteus and cyprinion macrostomum)‎ in greater Zab River-Iraq

Abstract EN

Concentrations of the heavy metals copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined in water and six organs (testis, ovary, kidney, liver, gills and muscle) of Barbus luteus and Cyprinion macrostomum in the Greater Zab River during spring 2009.

Generally, B.

luteus showed no significant accumulation for the studied metals.

The sex organs (testes and ovaries) of C.

macrostomum exhibited a tendency toward Cd and Pb accumulation; furthermore, Cu was significantly (P<0.05) accumulated in its liver.

Moreover, the kidneys were the target sites for Cd accumulation with a measured concentration of 1.279 ± 0.000 μg.

gm-1 dry wt., while gills and muscles showed no significant differences as compared with normal organs.