Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some tissues of fish in the Red Sea, Egypt

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe and Mn) were measured in the liver, gills and muscles of fourteen benthic and pelagic fish species collected from three main landing areas (Shalateen, Hurghada and Suez) in the Egyptian Red Sea. The levels of heavy metals varied significantly among fish species and organs. As expected, muscles always possessed the lowest concentrations of all metals. In most studied fish, the liver was the target organ for Cu, Zn and Fe accumulation. Pb and Mn, however, exhibited their highest concentrations in the gills. Different species of fish showed inter-specific variation of metals, as well as variations between fish from the same species. These differences were discussed for the contribution of potential factors that affected metals' uptake, like age, geographical distribution and species' specific factors. Generally, recorded metal concentrations were within the range or below the levels in similar species from global studies. The concentration of metals in the present fish muscles were accepted by the international legislation limits and are safe for human consumption.