Abstract

In this study, some trace metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, Zn and Fe) were seasonally determined in the muscle tissues of two commercially valuable freshwater fish species (Silurus triostegus and Barbus grypus, Heckel, 1843) from Atatürk Dam Lake. The obtained results showed that the average values of Fe (9.816 ± 0.390 μg/g) and Cu (1.343 ± 0.0.589 μg/g) in B. grypus were at the highest level in summer and autumn. However, Fe and Cu levels which are under detection limit inS. triostegus were not determined throughout the seasons. The highest Cd and Zn levels were measured in the summer for S. triostegus as 0.060 ± 0.000 and 9.696 ± 0.339 μg/g and for B. grypus as 0.039 ± 0.007 and 11.347±1.13 μg/g, respectively. The highest Pb levels were recorded in winter as 0.063 ± 0.002 and 0.301 ± 0.321 μg/g for S. triostegus and B. Grypus, respectively. The highest Hg levels were determined in Autumn for the two fish species (for S. triostegus as 0.093 ± 0.005 μg/g; for B. grypus as 0.057 ± 0.010 μg/g). In general, the avarage trace metal concentrations are similar to those previously observed in other fish species studied in Atatürk Dam Lake.

Key words: Trace element, Silurus triostegus, Barbus grypus, Atatürk Dam Lake.