Metal accumulation in Caspian sturgeons with different feeding niches, condition factor, body size and age

The present study investigated metal accumulation in the muscle of the Caspian sturgeons, Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser stellatus and Huso huso with different feeding niches, condition factor, body size and age, sampled in the spring of 2014, using an ICP-OES (Shimadzu). We used redundancy analysis to examine relationship between metals concentrations and the measured variables in the species. Huso huso specimens tended to have a higher concentration of Ba, Cr, K and Mn relative to the other species. Most metals had positive correlations with the body length, weight and age. Condition factor was not correlated with other parameter measured. The mean concentrations of the measured metals in muscles were higher than those of previous studies of sturgeons from the Caspian Sea suggesting increased pollution. The present study suggests that non-dietary sources of metals may play an important role in the accumulation of metals in the muscles of sturgeons.