Zinc and Copper Bioaccumulation Levels in Muscle, Gill and Liver Tissues of an Endemic Fish Species (Seydisuyu Stream Basin / Eskisehir / Turkey)

Abstract

Seydisuyu Stream, which is one of the most important branches of Sakarya River, is located on the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Seydisuyu Stream Basin has a globally important boron mine on its watershed area and the system exposed to an intensive agricultural, domestic and industrial pollution. In the present study, zinc and copper bioaccumulation levels in muscle, gill and liver tissues of Sakarya chub species (Squalius pursakensis (Hanko, 1925)) living in Seydisuyu Stream were investigated. The data obtained were compared with Turkish Food Codex (TGK) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). According to detected data, the highest zinc and copper levels were recorded in gill and liver tissues Sakarya chub species in general and zinc levels recorded in muscle of Sakarya chub species were higher than the limits of TGK and FAO.