Heavy metals concentrations and condition of some fish species at two hot spots, Mediterranean coast, Alexandria, Egypt

Heavy metals concentrations and condition of some fish species at
two hot spots, Mediterranean coast, Alexandria, Egypt
EJAR
Mohamed A. Sayed Ahmed*, Laila M. Shakweer, Hoda A. Hemaida
and Abdou A. Alsayes
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Al-Anfushi,
Kayet bey, Alexandria, Egypt. Fax: +203-481174, P.O. Box: 21556.
Web site: www.niof.sci.eg, E-mail: [email protected]
*E-mail: [email protected]
Received 1th January 2011, Accepted 15th January 2011
Abstract

The present investigation aimed to determine concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe and Cd in different organs and the
extent that accumulation of these metals had affected condition of some commercial fish caught from two hot spots
at Alexandria coast. The accumulation of these metals in fish muscles of El-Mex Bay ranged between 8.99-15.03,
0.99-7.96, 11.43-41.49 and 0.55-1.96, while, in fish muscles of Abu-Qir bay, they recorded 12.03, 18.69; 4.22, 4.68;
21.36, 37.05 and 0.45, 2.29 mg/kg wet weight for Zn, Cu, Fe and Cd, respectively. These ranges were found to be
lesser than the recommended maximum permissible limits for human in muscles of fish from both studied areas. The
abundance of these metals in fish organs was found to be muscles < gills < liver < gonads in most studied species. On the other hand, metals abundance has been found to follow the order Fe > Zn > Cu > Cd in muscles, gills, liver
and gonads of fish at both studied areas. According to values of condition factor (K), fish condition still not affected
yet by the recorded metals concentrations. Hepato-somatic index (H.S.I.) values display different fish response to
metals in both studied areas. Results of statistical analyses revealed that concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe and Cd in gills,
liver and gonads may start to exert a stress effects on these organs.
Keywords: Mediterranean, El-Mex Bay, Abu-Qir Bay, heavy metals, condition factor, hepato-somatic index.