Radioactivity and heavy metal concentrations of some commercial fish species consumed in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

Marine fish is an important daily diet item for the people of Turkey. The Black Sea Region of Turkey was contaminated by the Chernobyl accident in 1986, a comprehensive study was planned and carried out to determine the radioactivity levels (226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs) and heavy metal concentrations (As, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu and Pb) in four of the most common fish species: Engraulis encrasicholus (anchovy), Oncorhynchus mykiss (trout), Trachurus mediterranus (bluefin) and Merlangius merlangus (whiting) samples collected from eight stations in the Black Sea Region of Turkey during 2010. The dose due to consumption of fish by the public was estimated and it was shown that this dose imposes no threat to human healthy. The concentrations of heavy metal are below the daily intake recommended by the international organizations.

Highlight
► This study was determined the radioactivity and heavy metal levels in the fish.
► The heavy metal concentrations of all elements are below safety levels.
► The annual dose from the consumption of the fish samples was calculated.