Abstract. Musa Estuary is receives various type of discharges such as petrochemical, industrial and urban waste, it also is a habitat for Johnius belangerii. This study was carried out to determine heavy metal concentrations in J. belangerii. Fish samples were taken from 5 creeks and acid digested for their heavy metal contents. Results showed that the highest level of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Pb was 7.21, 1.08, 1.12, 2.72 and 4.57 in liver, 1.88, 1.04, 2.09, 9.43 and 6.83 in gill and 0.14, ND, 5.61, 2.43 and 3.78 in muscle respectively. The level of heavy metals in muscle was lower than WHO standard, however the level of metals in fish were decreased by the increase of distance from PETZON. It is suggested that biomonitoring of contaminants in this estuary could serve as a good estimate of environmental health

Abdolahpur Fazel

Abdolmajid Savari

Ahmad Monikh

Alireza Safahieh +

Doraghi

Mohammad Taghi Ronagh

CiteSeerX

Heavy metal Concentration in Belanger's Croaker Fish, Johnius 
belangerii from Petrochemical Waste Receiving Estuary in the Persian 
Gulf, Iran 
Alireza safahieh+, Mohammad Taghi Ronagh, Fazel Abdolahpur Monikh, Ahmad Savari and 
Abdolmajid Doraghi 
Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Oceanography, Khorramshahr Marine 
Science and Technology University, Khorramshahr, Iran 
Abstract. Musa Estuary is receives various type of discharges such as petrochemical, industrial and urban 
waste, it also is a habitat for Johnius belangerii. This study was carried out to determine heavy metal 
concentrations in J. belangerii. Fish samples were taken from 5 creeks and acid digested for their heavy 
metal contents. Results showed that the highest level of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Pb was 7.21, 1.08, 1.12, 2.72 and 
4.57 in liver, 1.88, 1.04, 2.09, 9.43 and 6.83 in gill and 0.14, ND, 5.61, 2.43 and 3.78 in muscle respectively. 
The level of heavy metals in muscle was lower than WHO standard, however the level of metals in fish were 
decreased by the increase of distance from PETZON. It is suggested that biomonitoring of contaminants in 
this estuary could serve as a good estimate of environmental health.  
Keywords: Musa Estuary, Heavy metals, Johnius belangerii, Persian Gulf 
1. Introduction 
Essential and  non-essential heavy metals may appear as potentially harmful elements for most aquatic 
and terrestrial organisms at some concentration of uptake. Environmental factors such as pH, salinity, DO 
and temperature [6, 5] as well as ecological factors such as sex, size and feed habit play significant roles in 
heavy metal accumulation in aquatic organisms [11, 2]. Fish is considered as an appropriate bio-indicator for 
metals concentration in aquatic ecosystem [4], because it could concentrate large amount of some metals in 
their tissues [15]. On the other hand heavy metals accumulation by fish may result in high level of metals 
intake by human consumers which, finally leads to several injuries.    
Located in the northwest of the Persian Gulf, Musa Estuary is subjected to different anthropogenic 
activities such as petrochemical industries, ships and oil tankers traffic which are potential sources of heavy 
metals input in to the seawater. One the other hand, this Estuary is an important area in terms of fishing 
within the Iranian coasts of the Persian Gulf. Belanger's Croaker, Johnius belangerii is widely distributed in 
Musa Estuary branches and constitutes a considerable portion of the annual catch of the local fishermen. It is 
widely used by local people. Heavy metal accumulation by fishes with high annual catch may contribute in 
health problems those who consume them. Since the information concerning heavy metal accumulation in 
Musa estuary is scarce this study was carried out to determine the concentration of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Pb in 
muscle, liver and gill tissue of Johnius belangerii collected from different creeks of the Musa Estuary.  
                                                            
+ Corresponding author. Tel.: + +98-632-4234403; fax: +98-632-4234403 
   E-mail address: a.Safahieh@Kmsu.ac.ir. 
        2011 2nd International Conference on Environmental Engineering and Applications 
IPCBEE vol.17 (2011) © (2011) IACSIT Press, Singapore 
 
  
205
2. Materials and Methods  
2.1. Study area 
The samples of fish were collected from five different creeks along Musa Estuary (Persian Gulf) during 
August 2010. The sampling stations were chosen in Khor-Ghazale, Khor-Ahmadi, Khor-Jafari, Khor-Zangi 
and Khor-Ghanam (fig. 1). 
2.2.  Sampling and Sample preparation  
Using trawl net, 20 fish samples from the same size were collected from each creek. Fish were 
transferred to the laboratory using icebox and kept frozen at -20 o C prior to analysis. Fish were thawed in 
room temperature before analysis and their tissues, including muscle, liver and gill were obtained and oven 
dried at 90 o C for 12 hour until constant weight was obtained. One gram of muscle, 0.5 gram of liver and gill 
were digested in concentrated nitric acid. The remaining digested solution was made up to certain volume 
with double distilled water. To determine the metals in the samples, a GBC (Savant AA Sigma) flame atomic 
absorption spectrometer (AAS) was used. All chemical regents were analytical reagent grade (Merck). The 
glassware and plastic container were acid washed with nitric acid 10% and rinsed with double distilled water 
before use. To avoid samples contamination and check the accuracy of the method, blank samples and CRM 
(Dorm-2, muscle of Dogfish, National Research Council of Canada) were analysed. The recovery values for 
all metals were satisfactory and were fallen between 90% to 113%.  
 
2.2. Data analysis 
Significant differences between heavy metals concentration in various stations, determined using One-
Way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan post hoc test (p < 0.05).  
 
 
Fig. 1. A map showing of study area  
3.  Results 
The average concentrations of studied heavy metals (µg/g dw) in muscle are shown in table 1. The 
concentration of Co in muscle was below the detection limit of the AAS. There were significant differences 
between the concentration of Cu and Pb in fish from different stations. The highest level of Cu (5.61 µg/g) 
and Pb (3.78 µg/g) was measured in the fish from Khor-Jafari. The average concentration of the metals in 
liver are shown in Table 2. Significant differences were obtained for the concentration of Cd, Cu and Pb in 
liver among different stations. The maximum concentration of Cd (7.21 µg/g), Cu (12.32 µg/g) and Pb (4.57 
µg/g) was found in the liver of fish from Khor-Zangi, Khor-Jafari and Khor-Ghazale respectively. Table 3 
shows the concentrations mean of heavy metal in gill tissue. There were significant differences between 
206
concentrations of Cd, Ni and Pb in gill of fish from different creeks. The highest level of Cd (1.88 µg/g), Ni 
(9.43 µg/g) and Pb (6.83 µg/g) was recorded in fish from Khor-Zangi, Khor-Ghazale and Khor-Zangi 
respectively. 
Research indicated that each tissue has a special capacity for heavy metals metal accumulation (fig. 2). 
The order of metal accumulation in different tissues was as follows: liver > gill > muscle for Cd, liver > gill > 
muscle for Co, liver > muscle > gill for Cu, gill > liver > muscle for Ni and gill > liver > muscle for Pb. 
 
 
Table 1 Heavy metal concentration in liver (µg/g dw) 
Location Cd Co Cu Ni Pb 
Khor-Ghazale 0.09 ± 0.20 ND 1.62 ± 0.07a 2.04 ± 0.29 1.58 ± 0.20ab
Khor-Ahmadi 0.13 ± 0.03 ND 3.59 ± 0.04b 2.16 ± 0.55 2.42 ± 0.38bc
Khor-Jafari 0.08 ± 0.02 ND 5.61 ± 0.80c 2.43 ± 0.57   3.78 ± 0.76c
Khor-Zangi 0.14 ± 0.03 ND 1.68 ± 0.18a 2.10 ± 0.52 2.98 ± 0.61bc
Khor-Ghanam 0.10 ± 0.02 ND 1.53 ± 0.02a 1.19 ± 0.37 0.59 ± 0.05a
a,b,c Show differences among creeks, ND= Not detected. 
 
 
Table 2  Heavy metal concentration in liver (µg/g dw) 
 
Location Cd Co Cu Ni Pb 
Khor-Ghazale 2.38 ± 0.42ab 0.94 ± 0.12 4.31 ± 0.32b 2.39 ± 0.29 4.57 ± 0.35b
Khor-Ahmadi 1.09 ± 0.33a 1.08 ± 0.28 10.75 ± 1.21c 2.72 ± 0.33 3.08 ± 0.41ab
Khor-Jafari 1.8 ± 0.37a 1.03 ± 0.21 12.32 ± 1.76c 2.53 ± 0.12 3.97 ± 0.47b
Khor-Zangi 7.21 ± 1.2c 0.98 ± 0.19 5.12 ± 0.45b 2.27 ± 0.14 3.31 ± 0.22ab
Khor-Ghanam 4.23 ± 0.44b 0.91 ± 0.12 1.76 ± 0.42a 2.53 ± 0.15 2.64 ± 0.38a
a,b,c Show differences among creeks 
 
 
Table 3 Heavy metal concentration in gill (µg/g dw) 
 
Location Cd Co Cu Ni Pb 
Khor-Ghazale 0.97 ± 0.04ab 0.91 ± 0.02 2.04 ± 0.25 9.43 ± 1.04c 5.71 ± 1.06b 
Khor-Ahmadi 0.92 ± 0.04ab 0.83 ± 0.03 1.94 ± 0.19 7.89 ± 1.12b 5.33 ± 1.26b
Khor-Jafari 1.32 ± 0.11ab 1.04 ± 0.1 2.09 ± 0.43 6.74 ± 1.26b 6.83 ± 1.48c
Khor-Zangi 1.88 ± 0.13b 0.86 ± 0.02 1.37 ± 0.38 1.63 ± 0.21a 6.62 ± 1.43c
Khor-Ghanam 0.73 ± 0.03a 0.8 ± 0.01 1.04 ± 0.26 6.82 ± 1.33b 2.57 ± 0.32a
a,b,c Show differences among creeks 
4.  Discussion  
Heavy metals determined in J. belangerii tissues showed different concentrations among station. The 
significant differences, which observed between metals concentrations in the same tissues from different 
creeks, indicate that there are different sources for heavy metals input along Musa Estuary. In addition, 
physicochemical factors of the water from which fish were caught may vary among studied creeks. The high 
concentration of some metals that are recorded in Khor-Jafari could be related to the effluent discharge from 
petrochemical units and Immam port [9]. A big branch of Khor-Jafari has been dried by PETZON 
(petrochemical special economic zone) and now serves as an effluent receiving pond, where refined wastes 
are discharged before releasing into the seawater. The high concentration of Ni that was measured in Khor-
207
6
Ghazale mi
was found 
sources in M
This stu
appeared in
Because of 
metal detox
heavy meta
muscle. Com
[12] showed
WHO, (199
 
 5.  Conc
Heavy 
fishes from
mentioned c
or gills. It a
potentially c
.  Acknow
This stu
Science and
7.   Refer
[1] M.H. Al
species i
[2] M. Canl
Mediterr
[3] D. Caus
exposure
[4] J.L. Dom
compute
Toxicolo
ght be due t
to be less p
usa Estuary
dy revealed
 the muscle
the presence
ification [14
ls. Therefor
parison of 
 that the hig
6) (Cu= 30 m
Fig.
lusion  
metals conc
 other stud
reek and pe
lso was low
ontaminated
ledgeme
dy was sup
 Technology
ences 
-Yousuf, M.S
n relation to b
i, G.z. Atli. Th
anean fish sp
sy, M. Gochfe
, bioavailabil
ingo, A. Boc
r program to 
gy. 2007, 230
2
3
4
C
on
ce
nt
ra
tio
n 
µg
/g
o heavy traf
olluted com
. Therefore,
 that metal
. This is a u
 of high lev
, 8, 2, 1]. Gi
e, heavy me
heavy meta
hest level o
g/kg and P
 2. Heavy met
entration in 
ied creeks. 
trochemical 
er than WH
 estuaries co
nts 
ported by F
 University.
. El-Shahawi
ody length an
e relationshi
ecies. Environ
ld, E. Gurzau
ity, and risk. 
io, R. Martı-C
optimize the b
: 227-233. 
0
10
0
0
0
Cd
fic of oil tan
pared to oth
 few amount
 accumulatio
sual finding
el of metallo
lls act as the
tals could a
ls in edible p
f Cu and Pb
b= 2 mg/kg)
als concentra
tissues of J
This was 
units. Heavy
O standard 
uld serve as
ajr Petroche
 
, S.M. Al-Gha
d sex. The Sc
ps between he
mental Pollu
, C. Neagu, H
Ecotoxicology
id, J. M. Llo
alance betwe
Co
kers in this 
er creeks. 
s of contam
n in gill an
 which is a
thionein pro
 main sit for
ppear in a h
art (muscle
 in this tissu
. 
tion in differe
. belangerii
presumably 
 metals con
for human 
 useful tools
mical Comp
is. Trace met
ience of the T
avy metal (C
tion. 2003, 12
. Ruedel. Les
 and Environ
bet. Benefits 
en the intake 
Cu N
creek. Amon
This creek i
inants could 
d liver occ
lso reported
tein, liver ti
 entry of dif
igh level in
) of fish (a w
e was below
nt tissues of J
 from Khor
happened d
tamination i
consumption
 for awarene
lex, Mahsh
als in liver, sk
otal Environ
d, Cr, Cu, Fe,
1: 129–136.
sons from ca
mental Safety
and risks of fi
of omega-3 f
i Pb
g the studie
s relatively 
reach this ar
urs in highe
 by several 
ssue acts as 
ferent kinds 
 liver and g
et wt. dry w
 the permis
ohnius belan
-Jafari creek
ue to shor
n muscle tis
. Biomonito
ss of enviro
ahr, Iran and
in and muscl
ment. 2000, 2
 Pb, Zn) level
se studies of m
. 2003,  56: 4
sh consumpti
atty acids and
M
GL 
d creeks, Kh
far from co
ea. 
r magnitud
investigation
a target orga
of contamin
ill tissues c
t ratio of 0.3)
sible limits 
 
gerii 
 was highe
t distance b
sue was low
ring of heav
nmental hea
 Khorramsh
e of Lethrinus
56: 87-94. 
s and the size
etals: invest
5-51. 
on Part II. RIB
 chemical con
M
L
G
or-Ghanam
ntamination
e than what
 [13, 5, 1].
n for heavy
ants such as
ompared to
 with WHO
provided by
r than those
etween the
er than liver
y metals in
lth.   
ahr Marine
 lentjan fish 
 of six 
igating 
EPEIX, a 
taminants. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
208
[5] M. Dural, M. Ziya Lugal Goksu, A.A. Ozak. Investigation of heavy metal levels in economically important fish 
species captured from the Tuzla lagoon. Food Chemistry.2007, 102: 415–421. 
[6] S. Eastwood, P. Couture. Seasonal variations in condition and liver metal concentrations of yellow perch (Perca 
fla_escens) from a metal-contaminated environment. Aquatic Toxicology. 2002, 58: 43–56. 
[7] F. Henry, R. Amara, L. Courcot, D. Lacouture, M.-L. Bertho. Heavy metals in four fish species from the French 
coast of the Eastern English Channel and Southern Bight of the North Sea. Environment International. 2004, 30: 
675– 683. 
[8] L.D. Kraemer, P.G.C. Campbell, L. Hare. Seasonal variations in hepatic Cd and Cu concentrations and in the sub-
cellular distribution of these metals in juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Environmental Pollution. 2006, 
142: 313-325. 
[9] N. Mooraki, A. Esmaeli Sari, M. Soltani, T. Valinassab. Spatial distribution and assemblage structure of 
macrobenthos in a tidal creek in relation to industrial activities. International Journal of Environmental Science 
and Technology. 2009, 6: 651-662. 
[10] I. Papagiannis, I. Kagaloub, J. Leonardosc, D. Petridisd, V. Kalfakakoua. Copper and zinc in four freshwater fish 
species from Lake Pamvotis (Greece). Environment International. 2004, 30: 357– 362. 
[11] A. Turkmen, M. Tu¨rkmen, Y.ı. Tepe, I. Akyurt. Heavy metals in thre commercially valuable fish species from 
_Iskenderun Bay, Northern East Mediterranean Sea, Turkey. Food Chemistry. 2005, 91: 167–172. 
[12] M. Tuzen. Toxic and essential trace elemental contents in fish species from the Black Sea, Turkey.Food and 
Chemical Toxicology. 2009, 47: 1785–1790. 
[13] J. Usero, C. Izquierdo, J. Morillo, I. Gracia. Heavy metals in fish (Solea vulgaris, Anguilla anguilla and Liza 
aurata) from salt marshes on the southern Atlantic coast of Spain. Environment International. 2003, 29: 949– 956. 
[14] A.B. Yılmaz. Levels of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb and Zn) in tissue of Mugil cephalus and Trachurus 
mediterraneus from Iskenderun Bay, Turkey. Environmental Research. 2003, 92: 277–281. 
[15] F. Yılmaz , N. Ozdemir, A. Demirak , A. Levent. Tuna Heavy metal levels in two fish species Leuciscus cephalus 
and Lepomis gibbosus. Food Chemistry. 2007, 100: 830–835. 
 
        
 
209


Heavy metal Concentration in Belanger&apos;s Croaker Fish, Johnius belangerii from Petrochemical Waste Receiving Estuary in the Persian Gulf, Iran

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download;jsessionid=A17812CAFCB1AC399E19EBED46CC6ACF?doi=10.1.1.1068.1654&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Heavy metal Concentration in Belanger's Croaker Fish, Johnius belangerii from Petrochemical Waste Receiving Estuary in the Persian Gulf, Iran

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

CiteSeerX

Heavy metal Concentration in Belanger&apos;s Croaker Fish, Johnius belangerii from Petrochemical Waste Receiving Estuary in the Persian Gulf, Iran

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

CiteSeerX

Heavy metal Concentration in Belanger's Croaker Fish, Johnius belangerii from Petrochemical Waste Receiving Estuary in the Persian Gulf, Iran