Some Trace Metals Pollution of Black Sea Anchovy from Crimean Coastal Region (Black Sea and Azov Sea)

Aims: The aim of the present study was to detect the level of three heavy metals cooper, zinc and lead in tissues of commercial fish species anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in six regions of Crimean coastal waters (Black Sea and Azov Sea), and to compare them with the values obtained in various geographical locations of the world.

Study Design: Fish samples were collected from commercial catches at six locations in Black Sea along Crimean coastal area (near the riparian cities Evpatoria, Saky, Sevastopol, Jalta, Alushta, Sudak and Feodosia) and at the region of Arabat Pointer in Azov Sea in spring-summer period 2011.

Place and Duration of Study: Experimental determinations were provided in the Crimean Experimental Station National Ukrainian Scientific Center of Institute of Experimental Veterinary Medicine, and in the Institute of the Biology of the Southern Seas.

Methodology: Chemical analysis was determined in 5 samples containing 10-15 organisms, assays run in triplicate. Concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn were measured by atomic absorption method used spectrophotometer S-600 (Ukraine).

Results: Copper level varied from 0.34 to 4.5 mg• kg-1 wet weight, zinc concentration ranged between 0.73 and 4.15 mg• kg-1 wet weight and lead level varied between 0.003 and 3.42 mg• kg-1 wet weight. The concentration of examined trace elements was below than the maximum levels permitted by Ukraine State Standards with the exception of lead, which level was significantly higher in four fish samples collected in western part of Crimea.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the heavy metal pollution of anchovy was higher in western regions of Crimea coastal waters than that in eastern part. The knowledge of differences between concentration of trace metals level in anchovy from examined locations are very important for human health because this fish is highly distributed commercial species in Black Sea and Azov Sea.