Heavy Metal Levels in the Black Sea Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) as Biomonitor and Potential Risk of Human Health

The concentrations of heavy metals arsenic, copper, zinc, mercury, cadmium and lead were estimated in muscle tissue of commercially the most important marine fish Engraulis encrasicolus collected from the south coast of the Black Sea, Turkey and Georgia during fish season in 2013. Cu, Hg, Cd and Pb were not detected in the edible part of anchovy. Zinc shows negative correlation with fat content while no effect of fat content was observed for arsenic accumulation in anchovy. The ranges of Zn and As concentrations were found between 8.6-13 and 0.41-0.69 mg/kg, respectively. Concentrations of As and Zn in the anchovy samples were not elevated the tolerance levels of national and international guidelines. None of the values in edible tissues exceeded the standard guideline values and would pose no health hazards for consumers.