Metal concentrations in tissues of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix from the Zarivar Wetland in Western Iran

The aim of this paper was to monitor the concentrations of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) in the gills, scales, and muscles of two fish species, common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Val.), from the Zarivar Wetland in Western Iran, and to identify any relationships between the species. The metal concentrations in the tissues of common carp and silver carp decreased in the following sequence: Cu > Pb > Hg > Ni > Cd. The results indicated no significant differences between the males and females of either fish species (P > 0.05). The results also showed that there were significant correlations (P < 0.05) between fish total length and weight and concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Cu in the different muscle tissues examined.