Experimental Investigation of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Tissues of Stone Loach Noemacheilus barbatulus (L.) and Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) Exposed to a Model Mixture (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd)

Abstract

During experiment, fish were exposed to a heavy metal model mixture (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd) for 14 days. Heavy metal concentrations corresponded to Maximum Permitted Concentrations (MPC) in surface waters. The amount of heavy metals in fish tissues was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Though both investigated fish species accumulated heavy metals with similar general intensity, the stone loach did it in the sequence gills > liver > muscle, and the rainbow trout-conversely: muscle > liver > gills. Ni concentration in the stone loach muscle made 0.607 mg/kg and Pb concentration was 0.21 mg/kg, whereas Cd concentration in the rainbow trout muscle reached 0.45 mg/kg and exceeded the MPC indicated in the Lithuanian hygiene standard. These results coincide with the data of the heavy metal research into fish species from natural water bodies. Pb and Cd concentrations in fish tissues are the highest and frequently exceed the MPC. These findings urge for the constant control of the amount of heavy metals in fish.