Voigt, H.-R.

Helsingin yliopiston digitaalinen arkisto

CADMIUM CONCENTRATIONS IN EDIBLE BALTIC FISHVoigt HEnv ironmental Sciences, Uni,ersity oJ Helsinki-Helsingforsln contrast to e.g. mercury (Hg), the concentrations of cadmium (Cd) inedible fish, have reached far less attention, though the well known ef'fectson e.g. humans, of this toxic metal in question. In the late 1960:s and theearly 1970:s, respectively, however cadmium monitoring in fish wereperformed for e.g. the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) by some Balticnational research institutes; F'innish lnstitute of Marine Research, EstonranMaritime Institute, etc, After confirmation that Cd mainly concentrates Ininternal organs, as kidney and liver ofthe fishes, and not in muscle tissuc,as Hg, the interesl for such Cd monitoring declined significantlyespecially as the observed concentrations olCd in the muscle tissue ofthefishes, were far below the accepted securiry levels, for fish and fbod, forhuman consumption.The present study focuses on Cd concentrations in the whole tjsh,comparing the observed contamination of organs, as l iver, kidney andgonads with the concentrations of the muscle tissue, in order to find outpossible (sublethal) effects on the fish itsell besides, stressing the fact thatthe concentrations of contaminated organs may exceed the safety levels,thus constituting a health risk for consumers ofthe organs in question.So far only in few cases elevated concentrations of Cd have been observedin muscle tissue of Baltic fishes, in contrast to the significantly higherconcentrations observed in e.g. l iver and kidney ofmost investigated fishes.For some species significant differences in the concentrations of Cd,between the sexes, have been observed.143

Cadmium concentration in edible Baltic fish

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Helsingin yliopiston digitaalinen arkisto