Accumulation of heavy metals in different body tissues of Gibel carp Carassius gibelio separately exposed to a model mixture (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd) and nickel

Abstract

The highest amounts found were of Zn (15.2 mg kg), while the lowest of Cd (0.012 mg/kg). In the muscle and gills, HMs were accumulated in the following order: Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd, while in the liver: Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd. Meanwhile, the Ni concentration in HMMM-exposed fish liver and gills were significantly higher than in Ni-exposed fish. Data obtained showed that HM accumulation in Gibel carp body tissues was metal and tissue specific, i.e. different tissues showed a different capacity for accumulating HMs. Metals in mixture promoted Ni accumulation in test fish gills and liver under different experimental conditions due to the synergistic effects among them. Although the HM content in Gibel carp different body tissues increased in all cases (average of 49 to 224%) they did not exceed Maximum-Permissible-Amounts (MPA) indicated in the Lithuanian Hygiene Standard.