Accumulation of 25 elements in gills, liver, gonads, and muscle of European chub (Squalius cephalus), Cactus roach (Rutilus virgo), and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) from Zlatar reservoir (Serbia)

Abstract

Accumulation of Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, Sr, and Zn was analyzed in gills, liver, gonads, and muscle of European chub (Squalius cephalus), Cactus roach (Rutilus virgo), and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) from Zlatar reservoir (Serbia) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The highest concentrations of Cu in liver as well as Ba, Ca, Fe, Mn, Na, P, and Sr in gills were detected in all fish species, while the lowest concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Zn were detected in muscle. Pikeperch had significantly lower concentrations of Ba in all tissues compared to the other species, as well as Fe, P, and Sr in muscle, K, Mg, Mn, Sr, and Zn in gills, and Fe in gonads. European chub had significantly higher concentrations of Ca, Cu, and Zn in muscle, Cu in liver, and Cr and Cu in gonads compared to Cactus roach and pikeperch. Cd concentration in one individual of Cactus roach exceeded the maximum allowed concentration. The muscle was exposed to the lowest pressure of metal pollution in all species, and European chub accumulated more metals compared to the other species. There is no significant health risk due to consumption of investigated species. A major hazard index (HI) contributor in all species was Hg. According to the target carcinogenic risk factor (TR), target hazard quotient (THQ), and HI, men are under lower health risk compared to the women. The TR and THQ for As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn as well as HI values were higher for European chub compared to the other species. On the other hand, THQ for Hg was highest for pikeperch.