Evaluation of arsenic, lead and cadmium concentrations in fish samples of Zayanderoud districts

Abstract

Aims: This research was conducted to evaluate the Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), and Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in fish flesh samples of Bara′an (east of Isfahan) as a contaminated zone. In addition, the obtained result was compared with a control fish group from behind dam area (west of Isfahan). Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 21 fish samples were collected from both the areas and heavy metals concentration was measured by flame Atomic absorption spectrometric method (PERKIN Elmer model 2380). Results: The mean amount of As were 2.97 ± 1.51 and 2.87 ± 0.3 mg/kg in the behind dam and the Bara′an areas, respectively. The mean amount of Pb were 0.66 ± 0.37 and 0.32 ± 0.17 mg/kg in the behind dam and the Bara′an areas, respectively. The mean concentration of Cd were 3.7 ± 4.11 and 86.64 ± 32.4 mg/kg in the behind dam and the Bara′an areas, respectively. The t-test showed no significant differences between the mean concentrations of As in both groups (2.97 Vs 2.87) (P = 0.78). The mean concentrations of Pb in the Bara′an area was significantly less than the behind dam area (0.32 Vs 0.66) (P < 0.001). Instead the mean concentration of Cd in the Bara′an area was significantly more than behind dam area (86.64 Vs 3.7) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study confirmed that the fish samples from Zayanderoud at Bara′an and behind dam was contaminated by As, Pb, and Cd. Therefore, we suggest that the heavy metal levels should be monitored regularly.

Keywords

• Arsenic
• cadmium
• fish
• Isfahan
• lead