Heavy metal accumulation in fish consumed from fish markets of Eastern Blacksea region

Present study examined the heavy metal levels (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni and Zn) in muscle tissues of Mullus barbatus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Trachurus trachurus, Merlangius merlangus, Sarda sarda, Belone belone, Sardina pilchardis, Oncorhyncus mykiss, Scomber scombrus, Thunus thynnus were bought from fish market and groceries (in cans) in the East Black Sea. The heavy metal levels in fish muscles were found as follow; Cd: 0.08-0.10, Co: 0.01-0.16, Cr: 0.51-2.30, Cu: 0.26-1.18, Mn: 0.11-4.41, Ni: 1.07-24.0, Pb: 0.10-0.57, Zn: 5.46-16.9 ppm. Heavy metal accumulations in the edible muscle tissue of fish were compared with Provisional Tolerable Daily Intakes (PTDI) and Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTDWI) values for human consumption, and these values were found to be well below except Ni. Consequently, when fish samples were evaluated in terms of the study time species and the region, levels of metal accumulation in edible muscle tissue may not negative influence for human health except Ni in two stations.