Heavy metals in organs of gudgeon (Gobio gobio L.) from Vardar River, R. Macedonia

Abstract. Ecotoxicological examinations based on seven heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd, Pb and Cr) concentrations in organs of gudgeon (Gobio gobio L.) caught by 14 monitoring points at Vardar River in Republic of Macedonia were performed. The organ’s samples elements were read-out on AAS in flame and graphite cuvette. Significant increase of Pb and Cd contents in liver, gills and gonads of fish sampled downstream Skopje and the town of Veles was found. It should be pointed out that at times Cd concentrations in muscles were as high as 0.518 mg/kg which is significantly over the maximally allowed concentrations for human nutrition