The investigation of heavy metal accumulation in Gambusia affinis (Mosquita fish) at aquatic environments of the GAP region

The purpose of this study is to observe the levels of heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn within water, sediment and ?mosquito fish? (Gambusia affinis) taken from 9 different stations of GAP. When sediment samples from the studied stations were observed, local variations came out between stations.When the analysis results were examined by ICP-OES method, it is observed that heavy metals are stored in muscles and inner organs of the fish and they carry some important differences (P<0,05). Inner organs of observed fish contained higher levels of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn compared to muscles. The highest accumalation of Fe and Ni for muscles was observed in Batman stream. In terms of Fe and Ni metals, important statistical differences are found between the samples of Batman stream and the other stations. (P<0,05). The highest level of Mn, Cu and Co for muscles was obtained in Devegeçidi Dam. The difference between Devegeçidi Dam and other stations for Mn and Cu is important (P<0,05). The highest level of Zn in muscles was observed in Bozova. The statistical differences between Bozova station and the other stations are found to be important. The highest concentration level of Cd in muscles was observed in Adıyaman, while for inner organs in Batman region The highest concentration level of Pb was observed in samples of Batman stream, and for inner organs it was observed in samples of Ongözlü bridge. At some regions, amount of Cd, Pb and Co within muscles and inner organs of Gambusia samples couldn't be observed due to lack of ICP-OES level of sensitivity at these regions. Level of metal storage in muscles and inner organs are observed as Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu following the order. It has been observed that heavy metal concentration of muscles and inner organs of Gambusia affinis is in accordance with (FAO and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs) allowed levels.Keywords: Gambusia affinis, Heavy metal, GAP, Biological Accumulation, ICP-OES