HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN FISH (Cyprinus Carpio AND Carassius Carassius), SEDIMENT, AND WATER FOUND IN THE GEYIK DAM LAKE, TURKEY

Abstract

This study provides new information on the distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in fish (tissues of Cyprinus carpio and Carassius carassius), sediment, and water from the Geyik Dam Lake. Comparisons were made between metal concentrations in water and sediment with those in muscle, gill, and liver of these fish species. In all samples, concentrations of most metals were high. Water samples contained high levels of Cu in winter and Fe in summer, whereas those of Co were low during both seasons. Sediment samples contained high Fe amounts in winter and summer, but those of Cd and Pb were low in summer and that of Co and Cu in winter. Moreover, there was more metal accumulation in the muscle of Cyprinus carpio and Carassius carassius than in the liver or gills. The pollution in this area likely originates from agricultural and domestic waste discharges.