The heavy metal contents (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) and its relationships with the size of the rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) from lake Cerknica, Slovenia

Abstract

The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn were measured in different tissues of rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) from Lake Cerknica, Slovenia. The content of heavy metals in rudd muscle/skin was low; therefore, rudd from Lake Cerknica are suitable for human consumption. Among the heavy metals studied, Pb was not detected in rudd tissues and Cd was undetectable in meat samples. The content of other elements was also the lowest in the meat samples. The highest concentrations of Cd and Zn were found in the kidneys, and those of Cu, Mn and Fe in the livers. The relationships between fish weight or length and metal concentrations were investigated. In the meat and liver of the rudd, the Pearson correlation analysis for Zn and Mn revealed a negative association related to size (length, weight). However, the concentrations of Fe in kidney and Cd in liver and kidney increased with the size of rudd.