The effect of heavy metals contamination on the quality and validity of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) caught from the Tigris River in Baghdad governorate, Iraq

The objective of the study was to determine the concentration of heavy metals in water samples and grass carp samples collected from different sites along the Tigris River in the governorate of Baghdad. The selection of these areas was based on their levels of industrial and human activity, as well as the surrounding environmental conditions. A thorough collection of twelve water samples and grass carp fish was conducted at several locations along the Tigris River, extending from north to south. These locations include Medicine City, the Al-Dora area, and the Al-Rustamiya area. Several field and laboratory analyses were performed on water samples, including parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity, salinity level, total dissolved solids, and water flow speed. The majority of these measurements were within the expected range throughout the various locations. The research covered the determination of the quantities of diverse body components in fish, including protein, ash, moisture, fat, carbohydrates, and the pH level of the flesh. Research was done on fish and water samples from the Tigris River. An atomic absorption spectrometer was used to find out how much iron (Fe), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), and mercury (Hg) were present. There were differences in the amounts of heavy metals found in fish muscle tissue and water samples that were statistically significant at p≤0,05 and p≤0,01, respectively. Significant differences were observed among the elements lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) with a significance level of p≤0,01. Significant differences were observed between cobalt (Co) and mercury (Hg) at a significance level of p≤0,05. The findings of the study indicate that the fishing location and environmental variables at the examined sites along the Tigris River exerted a notable influence on the chemical characteristics of grass carp fish flesh.