Determination of Trace Elements in Muscle Tissue of Caspian Roaches (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) Collected in Iranian Coastal Waters of the Caspian Sea

In the present study concentrations of 6 trace elements (Mn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Cd) were determined in muscle of Caspian roaches collected from coastal waters of southern part of the Caspian Sea, by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion. The accuracy of the method was corrected by standard material. The contents of investigated trace metals in fish samples were found to be in the range 16.80-22.40 for zinc, 0.381-2.890 for manganese, 0.28-1.10 for chromium, <0.001-0.765 for copper, <0.001-0.038 for cadmium and <0.001-0.039 for 1ead µg/g dry wt., respectively. In this study, the relationship between the concentration of the elements and biological characteristics has been examined. The significant length and weight dependent relationships were observed for some elements. The results were compared with the literature values. According to the results of this study, the consumption of Caspian roaches were collected from coastal waters of the southern part of Caspian Sea can be safe for human health in spite of possible contamination with heavy metals.