Assessment of Metal Concentrations in Two Cyprinid Fish Species (Leuciscus cephalus and Tinca tinca) Captured from Yenicaga Lake, Turkey

This study was performed to investigate certain major and toxic metal concentrations in muscle, gill and liver tissues of two Cyprinid species (Leuciscus cephalus, Tinca tinca). Generally liver and gill tissue exhibited higher metal concentrations than did muscle. The highest metal concentrations found in tench and chub muscle tissues were determined to be Al (59.01-108 mg kg(-1)), Zn (45.23-57.81 mg kg(-1)), Fe (9.23-16.03 mg kg(-1)) and Ba (3.50-2.69 mg kg(-1)) respectively. The level of metal accumulation is evaluated for potential risk to human health based on international standards. Zinc, lead and arsenic values of muscle tissues of the fishes were found to be above the allowed limits for human consumption.