Evaluation Of Metal Concentrations In Fish Species From Ataturk Dam Lake (Adiyaman, Turkey) In Relation To Human Health

Abstract

Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, and Ni were determined in gill, liver, and muscle tissues of fish species, Cyprinus carpio, Capoeta trutta, and Liza abu taken from Ataturk Dam Lake (Adiyaman, Turkey) in August 2009. The samples were collected from Sitilce site wherein the untreated wastewaters from Adiyaman city are discharged into the dam lake; in addition, Samsat site was considered as the reference site. It was observed that the concentrations of metals were significantly affected by the sampling sites. The concentrations of metals in fish samples were higher at the Sitilce site than at the Samsat site. The metal levels in the muscle of fish species from Sitilce are below the limits proposed by law and are thereby safe for human consumption; however, the untreated wastewaters in this region may pose a potential danger in the future.