Determination of heavy metals in some tissues of four fish species from the Karasu River (Erzincan, Turkey) for public consumption

The study aimed at determining the concentration of heavy metals in muscle, liver, and gill tissues of four fish species (Acanthobrama marmid, Capoeta umbla, Capoeta trutta and Chondrostoma regium) collected from five sites in the Karasu River, Erzincan, between July 2019 and January 2020. The relationships between fish size (length and weight) and metal concentrations in the tissues were also investigated using Pearson correlation analysis. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn were higher than those of other metals in all tissue samples from four fish species. Fe and Al concentrations were very high, while the lowest Co, Cd and Pb concentrations were determined in the muscle, liver and gill tissues. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that significant relationships between heavy metal concentrations and fish size (length and weight) were positive (p < 0.01, p < 0.05), except for a few cases. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations in the edible parts (muscle) of the studied fish species did not exceed the maximum acceptable concentrations (MACs) proposed by national and international food standards and were safe within human consumption limits, except for Cr.