Bioacumulación de Metales Pesados en Especies de Peces de Irán

Environ Geochem Health
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00883-5 (0123456789().,-volV)
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REVIEW PAPER
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish species of Iran:

a review
Hassan Sheikhzadeh . Amir Hossein Hamidian
Received: 9 October 2020 / Accepted: 8 March 2021

Ó The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2021
Abstract Accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in accumulation of HMs. Generally, the highest concen-
fish tissues is an important factor in monitoring the trations of HMs were observed in fishes collected from
health and safety of aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, the Persian Gulf, followed by species from the Caspian
fish are important parts of aquatic food chains and play Sea. Species inhabiting the lower zone of the water
a significant role in human health. Considering the column and carnivorous and/or omnivorous species
significant role of fish in the diet of humans and their showed the highest levels of HMs. Moreover, liver
ability to transfer and biomagnify HMs, it is necessary was the main accumulator organ for HMs.
to determine and study these contaminants in fish
tissues, especially in the edible parts of the fish. In Keywords Heavy metal Fish Aquatic ecosystem
addition to the other ecological and economic services Persian Gulf Caspian Sea Iran
of aquatic ecosystems, water bodies, especially the
Persian Gulf in the south and the Caspian Sea in the
north of Iran, are the main sources of seafood for
people in nearby areas, as well as people living farther Introduction
away who have gained access to seafood due to the
extensive trade of aquatic organisms. This study Safety of aquatic ecosystems is an important issue
provides an overview of the health conditions of the owing to the central role these ecosystems play in
aquatic ecosystems in Iran by monitoring HM bioac- providing water and food for humans, and habitat for
cumulation in fish species. For this purpose, we other organisms. In recent decades, the conditions of
reviewed, summarized, and evaluated papers pub- aquatic ecosystems have dramatically deteriorated due
lished on HM concentrations in fish species from to various organic and inorganic contaminants,
different aquatic ecosystems, including the Persian including heavy metals (HMs) (Frew et al., 2020;
Gulf, the Caspian Sea, wetlands, rivers, qanats, water Mojoudi et al., 2018, 2019; Saghali et al., 2014; Saha
reservoirs, lakes, and dams, with emphasis on species et al., 2016). Considering the properties of HMs such
habitats, feeding habits, and target organs in as toxicity, persistence, non-degradability, bioaccu-
mulation, and high potential to enter and biomagnify
along the food chain, HMs are considered critical
H. Sheikhzadeh A. H. Hamidian (&) contaminants in aquatic ecosystems and have caused
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering,
Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran,
concern worldwide (Begum et al., 2013; Cai et al.,
P.O. Box: 4314, 31587-77878 Karaj, Iran 2017; Hamidian et al., 2019; Mirzajani et al., 2015;
e-mail: a.hamidian@ut.ac.ir
123
Mziray & Kimirei, 2016; Pazi et al., 2017). HM salinity, water hardness, sampling location, season,
pollution in aquatic ecosystems can be caused by concentration and type of contaminant, and physio-
various natural sources such as atmospheric deposition logical and ecological characteristics of species such
and weathering (Ebrahimpour & Mushrifah, 2010; as sex, age, size, habitat preference, feeding habit,
Hamidian et al., 2016), as well as anthropogenic trophic level, exposure period to HMs, and homeo-
phenomena such as mining, agricultural drainage, static regulation activity (Arulkumar et al., 2017;
sewage discharge, industrial effluent discharge, gaso- Bendell Young & Harvey, 1989; Dadar et al., 2016;
line leakage from fishing boats, and accidental chem- Ebrahimi & Taherianfard, 2010; Mziray & Kimirei,
ical waste spills (Abarshi et al., 2017; Arulkumar et al., 2016). Nevertheless, bioaccumulation of HMs in fish
2017; Jarić et al., 2011; Khazaee et al., 2015; Padash is largely caused by uptake via the food chain, direct
Barmchi et al., 2015; Velusamy et al., 2014). It is exposure to HMs present in water and sediment, and
important to note that some HMs including copper by breathing. The environmental concentrations of
(Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), HMs in the habitat determine the levels of uptake
manganese (Mn), and chromium (Cr) are essential for through these routes (Yi et al., 2011). Many fish
physiological processes and play important roles in the habitats in Iran have been increasingly contaminated
biological functioning of organisms in trace amounts, by HMs in recent decades, which likely result in
whereas other HMs such as arsenic (As), cadmium adverse effects on fish and consequently, on human
(Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) have no known role health. Anthropogenic activities such as oil explo-
in biological functions and could be toxic even at very ration, petrochemical activities, operation of power
low concentrations. Human exposure to nonessential plants, shipping, agriculture, aquaculture, tourism,
HMs can cause problems such as renal, cardiovascu- manufacturing, and industrial activities are the pri-
lar, nervous, and bone diseases and immune concerns mary sources of pollution by HMs in aquatic ecosys-
(Abadi et al., 2018; Madreseh et al., 2018; Rezaei tems (Agah et al., 2009; Bastami et al., 2018;
Kalvani et al., 2019a, 2019b; Solgi & Beigzadeh- Jafarabadi et al., 2019; Jamshidi & Bastami, 2016;
Shahraki, 2019). However, all HMs are toxic above a Salamat et al., 2016).
certain threshold (Makedonski et al., 2017). The northern part of the Persian Gulf and the Oman
The worldwide consumption of fish has been Sea (in south of Iran) and the southern part of the
growing rapidly. Fish is known to be a rich source of Caspian Sea (in north of Iran) are the two main sources
high-quality protein, high levels of omega-3 fatty of the fish consumed in Iran. Furthermore, numerous
acids, essential minerals and vitamins for humans (Gu water bodies including wetlands, rivers, qanats, water
et al., 2017; Rahmani et al., 2018). Furthermore, reservoirs, lakes, and dams serve as inland locations of
consumption of fish reduces various diseases, includ- fish production in Iran. The country is the largest
ing psychological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, producer of fish in the region. The total fisheries’
rheumatoid arthritis, as well as some types of cancer, production in Iran increased from 378,947 tons in
and contributes to normal neuronal development in 2009 to 627,180 tons in 2014. The Persian Gulf and the
children (Rahmani et al., 2018). As fish are often at the Oman Sea were the main fish production resources in
top of the food chain in aquatic ecosystems, HMs can 2014 with a combined production of 536,000 tons.
accumulate in their tissues from sediment, surround- During recent decades, fish consumption has increased
ing water and their diet, and subsequently be trans- in Iran, and the mean per capita fish consumption
ferred to the human body via consumption. Therefore, reached 9.1 kg in 2011 (Saei-Dehkordi et al., 2010;
the consumption of fish containing HMs could cause a FAO 2015).
significant risk to human health when consumed in The main objectives of this review were to evaluate
amounts exceeding safe levels. Hence, it is necessary the bioaccumulation of HMs in fish species in various
to determine the concentrations of HMs in fish as a aquatic ecosystems in Iran (Fig. 1), as well as to
bio-indicator to assess the possible risk of consuming compare their concentrations with the standards
fish to human health (Gu et al., 2017; Mansouri et al., proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO)
2013; Mehanna et al., 2016; Varol & Sünbül, 2017). (WHO 1996), Food and Agriculture Organization of
Bioaccumulation of HMs in fishes depends on the United Nations (FAO) (Nauen, 1983), European
various environmental factors like pH, temperature, Community (EC) (EC 2005), United States Food and
123
Fig. 1 The map of Iran and location of the studied aquatic ecosystems
Drug Administration (FDA) (FDA 2001), and national ecosystem’’, and ‘‘Iran’’. After the primary screening,
standards in countries such as New Zealand (Nauen, all eligible articles in English and Persian were
1983), the United Kingdom (U.K) (MAAF 1998), downloaded. Moreover, to find other related articles,
Turkey (Pazi et al., 2017; Solgi & Beigzadeh- the references of the eligible works were reviewed for
Shahraki, 2019), China (Ju et al., 2017), Hong Kong relevant publications. The articles that did not meet the
(Ju et al., 2017), Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and following criteria were excluded: (1) availability of
Thailand (Nauen, 1983). the full text, or English abstract (for Persian publica-
tions); (2) papers on wild fish (not farmed fish); (3)
good quality; and (4) sufficient and relevant data.
Methodology Furthermore, data collection was performed regard-
less of the age, gender, and size of fish species and
The review was performed using the following sampling season. Finally, relevant information from
international databases for English language litera- papers including sampling location, species, studied
ture: Google scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, tissues, analytical results (minimum, maximum, mean
ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink. Also, national or mean ± standard deviation, and recovery rate),
databases, including Magiran and Scientific Informa- concentrations of HMs, units of measurement, and
tion Database (SID), were used for the literature analytical methods were recorded. It should be noted
published in Persian. We searched for studies pub- that the data represented in dry weight (d.w) were
lished before September 2020 using the following compared with the FDA standard limits, except for Cu,
keywords: ‘‘heavy metals’’, ‘‘trace elements’’, ‘‘toxic Zn, As, Ag, Fe, Mn, and Cr, for which no limits are
metals’’, ‘‘fish’’, ‘‘food chain’’, ‘‘Persian Gulf’’, provided by the FDA. Data represented in wet weight
‘‘Caspian Sea’’, ‘‘wetland’’, ‘‘river’’, ‘‘aquatic (w.w) were compared with other standards.
123
Results and discussion high concentrations of Hg were observed in the liver

tissue of Johnius belangerii (38.80 mg/kg d.w) from
Concentration of HMs in fish species inhabiting Musa Estuary and Cynoglossurs arel (32.90 mg/kg
aquatic ecosystems d.w) from Mahshahr Port with mean concentrations of
20.49 and 21.93 mg/kg d.w, respectively. The highest
The concentrations of HMs in fish species from all mean concentrations of Hg in muscle tissue (the edible
regions are presented in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. In order part of a fish) were found in Anodontostoma chacunda,
to compare HM concentrations in the edible parts of Johnius belangerii, and Cynoglossurs arel from Musa
fish with their corresponding standard values, the Estuary and Mahshahr Port with concentrations of
maximum permissible limits of HMs for fish are also 2.04, 4.40, and 5.82 mg/kg d.w, respectively, which
illustrated in Table 6 according to different interna- are all higher than the FDA permissible limit (1 mg/kg
tional standards. d.w). A mean concentration of 3.15 (1.31–17.2 mg/kg
w.w) was observed in the muscle tissue of Johnius
The Persian Gulf belangerii caught in Musa Estuary, and concentrations
ranging from 0.97–2.463 mg/kg w.w were recorded in
The Persian Gulf is a semi-enclosed and shallow muscle tissue samples from Cynoglossurs arel col-
marine ecosystem in the south and southeast of Iran lected at the same location, which are higher than the
(Abdolvand et al., 2014; Agah et al., 2010). It has an all standard limits.
area of 239,000 km2, an average depth of 30 m and Cadmium is a nonessential and highly toxic metal
serves as one of the main waterways in the world that has no biological activity. Cd is a very dangerous
(Lahijanzadeh et al., 2019; Nabizadeh et al., 2019). toxicant which enters the human body after magnifi-
The marine ecosystems in the Persian Gulf, and the cation in the food chain, causing Cd poisoning
safety of organism in its waters are strongly affected (Arulkumar et al., 2017). Cd concentrations ranged
by extreme human activities. The pollution associated from values below the method limit of detection
with exploration, discovery, and production of oil (\ LOD) to 38.31 mg/kg d.w (mean). The highest
appears to be of great significance in the Persian Gulf average concentrations of Cd were observed in the
due to the region’s vast oil resources (estimated to liver and gills of Johnius belangerii (38.31 and
constitute two-thirds of the total global reserves) 29.22 mg/kg d.w, respectively) in Musa Estuary.
(Lahijanzadeh et al., 2019). Furthermore, industrial Mean concentrations of Cd in the muscle tissue of
activities, petrochemical activities, operation of power Otolithes ruber (0.33 mg/kg w.w) and Scombero-
plants, oil and gas exploration, oil transportation, and morus guttatus (0.21 mg/kg w.w) from Khark Island,
shipping traffics also contribute to pollution in the and Otolithes ruber (0.23 mg/kg w.w) from Bushehr
Persian Gulf (Adel et al., 2016; Alavian et al., 2018; Port were higher than the permissible limits recom-
Dobaradaran, Nabipour, et al., 2018; Jafarabadi et al., mended for Cd by the EC, Turkey, China, Switzerland,
2019; Rajaei et al., 2012; Shahsavani et al., 2017). In and the U.K. Mean Cd concentrations in Liza
this study, the accumulation of HMs in 49 fish species vaigiensis (0.16 mg/kg w.w) and Johnius carutta
from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea was investigated (0.16 mg/kg w.w) from Qeshm Island, Scombero-
and reviewed (Table 1). morus guttatus (0.17 mg/kg w.w) from Bushehr Port,
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that presents the and Platycephalus indicus (0.11 mg/kg w.w) and
most significant concern regarding the effects of Thunnus tonggol (0.11 mg/kg w.w) from Bandar
seafood consumption on human health. Fish is the Abbas were higher than the EC, Turkey, China, and
major source of Hg accumulation in the human body Switzerland standard limits. Also, mean concentra-
(Bosch et al., 2016). The concentration of Hg can tions of Cd in the muscle tissue of Psettodes erumei
increase through the food chain by the biomagnifica- (0.097 mg/kg w.w), Scomberomorus commerson
tion process (Cai et al., 2017). In the Persian Gulf, Hg (0.078 mg/kg w.w), and Acanthopagrus latus
concentrations in fish species ranged from 0.0003 mg/ (0.072 mg/kg w.w) from Bandar Abbas were higher
kg w.w (mean) in the muscle tissue of Alectis indica than the EC and Turkey permissible limits.
and Lutjanus lemniscatus to 38.80 mg/kg d.w in the Lead is one of the most ubiquitous nonessential
muscle tissue of Johnius belangerii. Two extremely HMs with no known biological functions, which has
123
Table 1 Concentration of HMs in fish species from the Persian Gulf
Location Species Tissue Analytical HMs
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Emam Hassan Port Sphyraena jello Muscle Mean ± S.D – N.D 2.41 ± 2.26 2.43 ± 0.51
Liver Mean ± S.D – 1.33 ± 0.35 1.22 ± 0.09 14.34 ± 2.04
Liza subviridis Muscle Mean ± S.D – N.D 2.80 ± 1.43 3.64 ± 0.16
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.60 ± 0.75 1.94 ± 0.86 202 ± 15.81

Bushehr Port Sphyraena jello Muscle Mean ± S.D – N.D 0.99 ± 0.62 3.46 ± 0.57
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.48 ± 0.32 1.11 ± 0.15 26.22 ± 2.66
Liver Mean ± S.D – N.D 1.12 ± 0.37 43.83 ± 6.53
Ameri Port Sphyraena jello Muscle Mean ± S.D – N.D 1.21 ± 0.6 2.84 ± 0.57
Liver Mean ± S.D – 2.93 ± 0.44 0.92 ± 0.1 67.02 ± 2.3
Liver Mean ± S.D – N.D 1.83 ± 0.6 24.04 ± 0.6
Nayband Bay Sphyraena jello Muscle Mean ± S.D – N.D 1.53 ± 0.76 3.57 ± 0.51
Liver Mean ± S.D – 7.57 ± 1.13 1.00 ± 0.20 47.35 ± 3.72
Liver Mean ± S.D – N.D 2.35 ± 0.73 33.28 ± 1.86
Recovery 94–97
(%)
Northern part Pomadasys Muscle Min – 0.002 0.002 0.1
Max 0.005 0.025 0.2
Mean 0.003 0.009 0.2
Liver Min – 0.41 0.014 1.4
Max 14.1 0.062 10.9
Mean 3.0 0.032 3.6
Platycephalus Muscle Min – 0.(0003) 0.(0002) 0.1
Max 0.012 0.017 0.5
Mean 0.003 0.007 0.2
Liver Min – 0.012 0.002 3.2
Max 3.96 0.036 30.5
Mean 0.55 0.012 17
123
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Epinephelus tauvina Muscle Min – 0.(0004) 0.002 0.1
Max 0.013 0.009 0.2
Mean 0.(0025) 0.005 0.1
Liver Min – 0.022 0.00 1.6
Max 1.35 0.030 33.5
Mean 0.17 0.009 9.4
Otolithes ruber Muscle Min – 0.(0005) 0.001 0.1
Max 0.007 0.009 0.2
Mean 0.002 0.004 0.2
Liver Min – 0.014 0.004 1.5
Max 0.38 0.016 3.9
Mean 0.13 0.008 2.5
Pampus argenteus Muscle Min – 0.003 0.003 0.1
Max 0.046 0.033 0.2
Mean 0.013 0.008 0.1
Liver Min – 0.16 0.014 0.9
Max 3.97 0.062 6.1
Mean 2.0 0.028 2.4
Recovery – 96–99 94–98 94–102
(%)
Musa Estuary Liza abu Muscle Min 0.17 N.D 0.60 1.00
Max 0.38 1.60 3.30
Mean ± S.D 0.30 ± 0.09 1.20 ± 0.38 1.80 ± 0.87
Recovery 99.57 – 111.00 98.29
(%)
Khuzestan shore Liza abu Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.11 ± 0.01 0.06 ± 0.05 0.75 ± 0.16 6.99 ± 0.32
Skin Mean ± S.D 0.25 ± 0.04 0.21 ± 0.01 1.16 ± 0.12 6.13 ± 0.07
Liver Mean ± S.D 0.41 ± 0.06 0.56 ± 0.04 2.11 ± 0.05 7.29 ± 0.07
Euryglossa orientalis Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.72 ± 0.12 0.15 ± 0.06 0.65 ± 0.05 5.29 ± 0.02
Skin Mean ± S.D 0.57 ± 0.06 0.31 ± 0.02 0.78 ± 0.02 7.37 ± 0.01
Liver Mean ± S.D 1.42 ± 0.13 0.83 ± 0.05 3.01 ± 0.01 11.63 ± 0.07
Otolithes ruber Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.23 ± 0.03 0.28 ± 0.04 0.45 ± 0.03 4.09 ± 0.12
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Skin Mean ± S.D 0.65 ± 0.07 0.32 ± 0.01 1.52 ± 0.02 5.17 ± 0.01
Liver Mean ± S.D 0.82 ± 0.06 0.64 ± 0.08 2.31 ± 0.05 8.26 ± 0.07
Psettodes erumei Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.18 ± 0.06 0.17 ± 0.03 0.55 ± 0.13 5.61 ± 0.42
Skin Mean ± S.D 0.53 ± 0.01 0.25 ± 0.01 0.76 ± 0.02 5.78 ± 0.91
Liver Mean ± S.D 0.61 ± 0.05 0.36 ± 0.06 2.31 ± 0.04 7.73 ± 0.03
Recovery 102 96.7 95.7 89
(%)
Khark Island, local Alepes djedaba Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.93 ± 0.25 – 0.05 ± 0.01 1.34 ± 0.12
fishmongers
Epinephelus coioides Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.88 ± 0.49 – 0.02 ± 0.02 0.73 ± 0.19
Sphyraena jello Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.95 ± 0.24 – 0.02 ± 0.01 0.93 ± 0.12
Platycephalus indicus Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.79 ± 0.39 – 0.04 ± 0.01 0.70 ± 0.07
Khark Island Scomberomorus guttatus Muscle Min – 0.07 0.06 0.44
Max 0.33 1.00 0.93
Mean ± S.D 0.21 ± 0.11 0.41 ± 0.325 0.62 ± 0.22
Skin Min – 0.01 N.D 0.52
Max 0.45 2.1
Mean ± S.D 0.19 ± 0.2 0.82 ± 0.63
Otolithes ruber Muscle Min – 0.13 0.09 0.33
Max 0.43 0.3 2.1
Mean ± S.D 0.33 ± 0.13 0.19 ± 0.87 0.98 ± 0.86
Skin Min – N.D 0.18 0.38
Max 0.41 0.9
Mean ± S.D 0.28 ± 0.1 0.59 ± 0.19
Mahshahr Port, Otolithes ruber Muscle Min – 0.080 0.180 15.4
Khozestan Province Max 0.630 0.940 34.4
Mean 0.250 0.447 25.3
Bushehr Port Epinephelus coioides Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.74 ± 0.08 N.D 0.97 ± 0.09 0.16 ± 0.005
Platycephalus indicus Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.73 ± 0.11 N.D 1.00 ± 0.07 0.25 ± 0.02
Liza klunzingeri Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.11 ± 0.002 N.D 1.32 ± 0.07 2.54 ± 0.04
Recovery – 94.84 125 93.91
(%)
123
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Qeshm Island I Johnius belangerii Liver Mean ± S.D 4.32 ± 0.6 12.06 ± 3.85 5.64 ± 1.23 –
Gill Mean ± S.D 2.17 ± 0.64 7.86 ± 2.66 3.57 ± 1.13 –
Qeshm Island II Johnius belangerii Liver Mean ± S.D 0.81 ± 0.2 1.21 ± 0.32 1.24 ± 0.73 –
Gill Mean ± S.D 0.86 ± 0.22 2.17 ± 0.12 0.64 ± 0.21 –
Khark Island Johnius belangerii Liver Mean ± S.D 7.32 ± 1.77 19.52 ± 3.85 17.33 ± 6.53 –
Gill Mean ± S.D 4.97 ± 1.74 13.49 ± 4.56 28.25 ± 5.09 –
Khozestan province Johnius belangerii Liver Mean ± S.D 3.65 ± 1.03 15.18 ± 4.82 11.07 ± 3.75 –
Gill Mean ± S.D 2.16 ± 0.58 10.27 ± 3.41 13.43 ± 3.77 –
Recovery 92–110
(%)
Hormozgan Pampus argenteus Total (sex Mean ± S.E – 0.494 ± 0.125 5.840 ± 0.740 3.264 ± 0.311
Province and body)
Otolithes ruber Total (sex Mean ± S.E – 0.425 ± 0.031 3.567 ± 0.265 3.226 ± 0.301
and body)
Recovery – 95.34 96.92
(%)
Northwest coastal Tenualosa ilisha Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.08 ± 0.00 0.67 ± 0.04 3.07 ± 0.14
waters
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.47 ± 0.03 1.27 ± 0.10 6.02 ± 0.22
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.51 ± 0.04 2.69 ± 0.27 4.68 ± 0.16
Otolithes ruber Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.56 ± 0.03 1.55 ± 0.00 8.46 ± 0.46
Liver Mean ± S.D – 1.01 ± 0.05 3.66 ± 0.17 23.38 ± 0.87
Gill Mean ± S.D – 1.34 ± 0.07 4.43 ± 0.11 15.20 ± 0.54
Recovery – 97.67 95.38 99.14
(%)
Khuzestan Shore Euryglossa orientalis Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.45 ± 0.05 0.18 ± 0.06 2.75 ± 0.06 –
Skin Mean ± S.D 0.61 ± 0.01 0.23 ± 0.01 4.16 ± 0.02 –
Liver Mean ± S.D 1.61 ± 0.02 0.43 ± 0.04 6.11 ± 0.05 –
Liza abu Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.10 ± 0.06 N.D 1.65 ± 0.07 –
Skin Mean ± S.D 0.21 ± 0.04 0.21 ± 0.02 2.05 ± 0.02 –
Liver Mean ± S.D 0.51 ± 0.02 0.35 ± 0.08 3.05 ± 0.04 –
Otolithes ruber Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.12 ± 0.05 0.15 ± 0.01 1.25 ± 0.02 –
Skin Mean ± S.D 0.23 ± 0.07 0.18 ± 0.02 1.78 ± 0.01 –
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Liver Mean ± S.D 1.06 ± 0.01 0.29 ± 0.07 3.05 ± 0.02 –

Psettodes erumei Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.08 N.D 0.78 ± 0.09 –
Skin Mean ± S.D 0.11 N.D 1.64 ± 0.02 –
Liver Mean ± S.D 0.22 0.26 ± 0.05 2.49 ± 0.01 –

Recovery 101 96.7 102 –
(%)
Coast part, local Rastrelliger kanagurta Whole body Mean ± S.D 2.14 ± 1.42 4.97 ± 0.25 386.1 ± 36.3 –
fishermen
Tenualosa ilisha Whole body Mean ± S.D 2.09 ± 1.42 2.81 ± 0.23 253.35 ± 35.64 –
Scomberomorus Whole body Mean ± S.D 22.76 ± 1.42 0.5 ± 0.26 208.91 ± 35.64 –
commerson
Recovery 93.4 101.2 92.5 –
(%)
Musa Estuary Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.D – 3.15 ± 1.57 0.73 ± 0.1 1.97 ± 0.24
Liver Mean ± S.D – 38.31 ± 32.56 2.91 ± 0.14 12.27 ± 2.31
Gill Mean ± S.D – 29.22 ± 18.41 1.85 ± 0.1 8.02 ± 5.0
Euryglossa orientalis Muscle Mean ± S.D – 1.12 ± 0.26 3.12 ± 0.26 12.68 ± 2.21
Liver Mean ± S.D – 9.54 ± 3.46 12.28 ± 2.36 51.25 ± 5.6
Gill Mean ± S.D – 5.32 ± 2.35 4.88 ± 1.9 21.83 ± 4.38
Cynoglossus arel Muscle Mean ± S.D – 2.43 ± 1.12 5.63 ± 3.12 7.29 ± 2.45
Liver Mean ± S.D – 12.31 ± 3.32 27.45 ± 8.11 48.42 ± 23.8
Gill Mean ± S.D – 10.06 ± 4.3 17.82 ± 14.2 31.53 ± 21.6
Selech Estuary Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.48 ± 0.02 0.27 ± 0.01 1.21 ± 0.27
Liver Mean ± S.D – 4.97 ± 1.7 1.16 ± 0.04 8.14 ± 2.14
Gill Mean ± S.D – 3.64 ± 2.87 1.05 ± 0.28 3.37 ± 0.6
Liver Mean ± S.D – 2.97 ± 0.74 2.03 ± 0.42 16.06 ± 7.36
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.91 ± 0.01 0.97 ± 0.02 8.52 ± 1.04
Cynoglossus arel Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.32 ± 0.03 0.96 ± 021 0.48 ± 0.22
Liver Mean ± S.D – 4.62 ± 3.12 3.26 ± 0.67 6.25 ± 2.04
Gill Mean ± S.D – 2.21 ± 0.2 2.97 ± 0.41 5.31 ± 2.34
123
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
The mouth of Arvand Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.43 ± 0.2 0.33 ± 0.07 1.64 ± 0.64
river
Liver Mean ± S.D – 6.22 ± 1.1 1.94 ± 0.4 9.81 ± 4.36
Gill Mean ± S.D – 4.23 ± 1.26 1.14 ± 0.16 5.32 ± 2.75
Liver Mean ± S.D – 4.37 ± 1.62 21.37 ± 2.4 23.21 ± 1.85
Gill Mean ± S.D – 1.92 ± 0.4 6.52 ± 1.14 6.52 ± 2.86
Cynoglossus arel Muscle Mean ± S.D – 1.03 ± 0.1 5.84 ± 2.43 0.84 ± 0.16
Liver Mean ± S.D – 10.53 ± 4.52 43.27 ± 27.76 6.30 ± 4.91
Gill Mean ± S.D – 4.64 ± 1.21 21.36 ± 4.47 4.06 ± 2.92
Recovery 94.6–106
(%)
Bushehr Province Sepia pharaonis Gill Mean ± S.D 0.(2597) ± 0.112 0.(0864) ± 0.066 1.(1021) ± 0.590 6.951 ± 2.440
Branchial Mean ± S.D 0.(1097)4 ± 0.048 0.(0626) ± 0.084 0.645 ± 0.151 2.162 ± 0.597
hearts
Digestive Mean ± S.D 0.(3308) ± 0.123 0.(9859) ± 0.357 3.672 ± 1.012 9.013 ± 2.469
gland
Mantle Mean ± S.D 0.(0833)3 ± 0.049 0.02 ± 0.007 0.52 ± 0.489 1.345 ± 0.512
Recovery 100 102 105 96
(%)
Bandar Thunnus tonggol Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.22 ± 0.25 6.06 ± 0.10 9.78 ± 0.7
Abbas
Liza klunzingeri Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.44 ± 0.09 4.73 ± 0.15 5.14 ± 0.26
Rastrelliger kanagurta Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.36 ± 0.05 2.43 ± 0.08 8.86 ± 0.86
Sphyraena jello Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.17 ± 0.06 6.46 ± 0.01 10.67 ± 0.4
Recovery – 105 ± 1 94 ± 12 97 ± 3
(%)
Bushehr Port Scomberomorus guttatus Muscle Min – 0.009 0.085 1.03
Max 0.271 1.515 3.376
Mean ± S.D 0.17 ± 0.107 0.625 ± 0.517 1.84 ± 0.93
Skin Min – 0.001 0.222 1.086
Max 0.506 1.781 4.112
Mean ± S.D 0.174 ± 0.216 0.701 ± 0.588 1.68 ± 1.078
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Otolithes ruber Muscle Min – 0.006 0.076 0.738

Max 0.45 0.835 4.851
Mean ± S.D 0.23 ± 0.171 0.31 ± 0.258 1.547 ± 1.475
Skin Min – 0.33 0.145 0.88

Max 0.528 0.584 2.093
Mean ± S.D 0.26 ± 0.177 0.32 ± 0.162 1.251 ± 0.418
Musa Estuary and Anodontostoma chacunda Muscle Min 0.56 0.01 0.07 1.53
Mahshahr Port Max 3.33 0.03 0.15 3.14
Mean 2.04 0.02 0.11 2.10
Liver Min 1.16 0.18 0.17 7.74
Max 7.58 2.30 2.88 27.00
Mean 5.5 0.83 1.10 15.89
Johnius belangerii Muscle Min 1.09 N.D 0.07 1.37
Max 7.65 0.34 2.12
Mean 4.40 0.19 1.71
Liver Min 6.65 0.34 0.13 10.2
Max 38.80 5.59 0.43 15.1
Mean 20.49 2.23 0.21 12.43
Cynoglossurs arel Muscle Min 2.56 N.D 0.08 1.57
Max 14.00 0.77 1.96
Mean 5.82 0.26 1.75
Liver Min 12.4 0.62 0.187 371
Max 32.90 6.28 0.62 ((1790)).00
Mean 21.93 0.26 0.30 ((1065)).50
Mahshahr Port Lethrinus crocineus Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0008) ± 0.(0002) 0.(0005) ± 0.(0001) 0.003 ± 0.(0005) –
Planiliza subviridis Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0008) ± 0.(0001) 0.(0021) ± 0.(0024) 0.021 ± 0.001 –
Euryglossa orientalis Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0008) ± 0.(0001) 0.(0003) ± 0.(0001) 0.(0028) ± 0.001 –
Cynoglossus arel Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0009) ± 0.(0001) 0.(0004) ± 0.(0001) 0.(0027) ± 0.(0006) –
Grammoplites suppositus Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.001 ± 0.(0001) 0.(0003) ± 0.000 0.003 ± 0.(0005) –
Otolithes ruber Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0007) ± 0.(0001) 0.(0064) ± 0.(0017) 0.014 ± 0.(0025) –
Acanthopagrus latus Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0008) ± 0.(0001) 0.(0084) ± 0.(0015) 0.016 ± 0.001 –
123
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Epinephelus areolatus Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0011) ± 0.(0001) 0.(0114) ± 0.(0024) 0.(0078) ± 0.(0098) –
Epinephelus chlorostigma Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0014) ± 0.(0001) 0.(0046) ± 0.(0011) 0.(0026) ± 0.(0002) –
Alectis indica Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0003) ± 0.(0004) 0.007 ± 0.001 0.(0032) ± 0.(0002) –
Lutjanus lemniscatus Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.(0003) ± 0.000 0.(0095) ± 0.(0005) 0.(0035) ± 0.(0003) –
Musa Estuary Euryglossa orientalis Muscle Mean ± S.E – 0.19 ± 0.03 1.82 ± 0.37 1.32 ± 0.19
Liver Mean ± S.E – 1.73 ± 0.31 2.13 ± 0.40 340.73 ± 54.93
Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.E – 0.22 ± 0.04 1.59 ± 0.40 1.01 ± 0.11
Liver Mean ± S.E – 3.80 ± 0.66 1.40 ± 0.27 12.70 ± 1.63
Liza abu Muscle Mean ± S.E – 0.29 ± 0.03 1.34 ± 0.22 3.02 ± 0.23
Liver Mean ± S.E – 0.86 ± 0.09 2.62 ± 0.42 16.65 ± 2.53
Recovery 97.4–108
(%)
Musa Estuary Liza abu Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.16 ± 0.1 0.86 ± 0.14 1.33 ± 0.12
Liver Mean ± S.D – 1.37 ± 0.20 2.61 ± 0.23 16.22 ± 2.44
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.64 ± 0.02 1.74 ± 0.21 4.71 ± 0.57
Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.11 ± 0.01 0.94 ± 0.27 1.56 ± 0.04
Liver Mean ± S.D – 3.15 ± 0.45 3.41 ± 0.20 4.38 ± 0.30
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.82 ± 0.02 2.30 ± 0.27 2.16 ± 0.26
Liver Mean ± S.D – 2.95 ± 0.44 2.73 ± 0.24 281.37 ± 19.95
Gill Mean ± S.D – 1.54 ± 0.37 1.22 ± 0.13 8.32 ± 0.72
Recovery – 107 98 94
(%)
Musa Estuary Johnius Belangerii Muscle Min 1.31 – – –
Max 17.2
Mean ± S.E 3.15 ± 0.474
Cynoglossus arel Muscle Min 0.970 – – –
Max 2.463
Mean ± S.E 0.486 ± 0.116
Recovery 99.6
(%)
Qeshm Island Liza vaigiensis Muscle Mean ± S.E – 0.16 ± 0.01 0.11 ± 0.01 –
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Liver Mean ± S.E – 0.68 ± 0.04 0.37 ± 0.02 –

Gill Mean ± S.E – 0.30 ± 0.02 0.20 ± 0.01 –
Johnius carutta Muscle Mean ± S.E – 0.16 ± 0.01 0.03 ± 0.00 –
Liver Mean ± S.E – 0.59 ± 0.04 0.30 ± 0.01 –

Gill Mean ± S.E – 0.30 ± 0.02 0.18 ± 0.02 –
Recovery – 98 99 –
(%)
Bahrekan Bay Euryglossa orientalis Fillet Mean ± S.D – – 1.05 ± 0.48 2.34 ± 0.71
Liver Mean ± S.D – – 7.50 ± 1.14 87.36 ± 24.31
Gill Mean ± S.D – – 4.22 ± 0.78 37.96 ± 7.77
Chirocentrus nudus Fillet Mean ± S.D – – 0.64 ± 0.42 1.32 ± 0.62
Liver Mean ± S.D – – 6.75 ± 1.76 4.71 ± 1.51
Gill Mean ± S.D – – 2.29 ± 0.78 3.15 ± 0.59
Bandar Abbas Scomberomorus commerson Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.078 ± 0.048 0.223 ± 0.135 4.552 ± 0.876
Chirocentrus dorab Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.039 ± 0.013 0.087 ± 0.033 3.197 ± 0.848
Sphyraena jello Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.053 ± 0.022 0.152 ± 0.070 3.554 ± 0.931
Rachycentron canadum Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.040 ± 0.019 0.160 ± 0.045 2.047 ± 0.667
Thunnus tonggol Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.106 ± 0.047 0.235 ± 0.135 3.907 ± 1.191
Tenualosa ilisha Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.024 ± 0.008 0.057 ± 0.017 1.253 ± 0.524
Nemipterus japonicus Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.031 ± 0.011 0.120 ± 0.043 1.160 ± 0.507
Epinephelus coioides Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.076 ± 0.023 0.297 ± 0.111 3.945 ± 0.838
Platycephalus indicus Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.111 ± 0.078 0.192 ± 0.041 1.056 ± 0.215
Psettodes erumei Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.097 ± 0.015 0.310 ± 0.119 4.790 ± 0.798
Pomadasys argenteus Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.050 ± 0.020 0.164 ± 0.060 0.799 ± 0.212
Acanthopagrus latus Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.072 ± 0.021 0.471 ± 0.109 2.485 ± 0.651
(%)
Khor–Ghazale Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.09 ± 0.20 1.58 ± 0.20 1.62 ± 0.07
Liver Mean ± S.D – 2.38 ± 0.42 4.57 ± 0.35 4.31 ± 0.32
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.97 ± 0.04 5.71 ± 1.06 2.04 ± 0.25
Khor–Ahmadi Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.13 ± 0.03 2.42 ± 0.38 3.59 ± 0.04
Liver Mean ± S.D – 1.09 ± 0.33 3.08 ± 0.41 10.75 ± 1.21
123
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.92 ± 0.04 5.33 ± 1.26 1.94 ± 0.19
Khor–Jafari Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.08 ± 0.02 3.78 ± 0.76 5.61 ± 0.80
Liver Mean ± S.D – 1.8 ± 0.37 3.97 ± 0.47 12.32 ± 1.76
Gill Mean ± S.D – 1.32 ± 0.11 6.83 ± 1.48 2.09 ± 0.43
Khor–Zangi Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.14 ± 0.03 2.98 ± 0.61 1.68 ± 0.18
Liver Mean ± S.D – 7.21 ± 1.2 3.31 ± 0.22 5.12 ± 0.45
Gill Mean ± S.D – 1.88 ± 0.13 6.62 ± 1.43 1.37 ± 0.38
Khor–Ghanam Johnius belangerii Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.10 ± 0.02 0.59 ± 0.05 1.53 ± 0.02
Liver Mean ± S.D – 4.23 ± 0.44 2.64 ± 0.38 1.76 ± 0.42
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.73 ± 0.03 2.57 ± 0.32 1.04 ± 0.26
Recovery 112 128 114
(%)
Bandar Abbas Thunnus tonggol Muscle Min 0.065 – 0.(0018) –
Max 0.151 0.005
Mean ± S.D 0.083 ± 0.03 0.003 ± 0.001
Pleuronectiformes Muscle Min 0.036 – 0.002 –
(Pseudorhombus elevates and Max 0.153 0.01
Euryglossa orientalis) Mean ± S.D 0.095 ± 0.003 0.004 ± 0.002
Liza klunzingeri Muscle Min 0.054 – 0.018 –
Max 0.175 0.013
Mean ± S.D 0.078 ± 0.003 0.006 ± 0.003
Recovery 95.2–97
(%)
Northern part, Liza klunzingeri Whole body Min – 2.5 20 32.5
Hormuz Strait Max 5.5 50 36.25
Mean 4.29 31.39 32.47
Recovery – 97.5 98.3 103.8
(%)
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Hendijan Port Saurida tumbil Muscle Min – N.D N.D 0.62

Max 0.74
Mean ± S.D 0.7 ± 0.06
Liver Min – 0.19 0.77 12

Max 0.24 0.92 22
Mean ± S.D 0.2 ± 0.02 0.8 ± 0.1 19 ± 5.2
Gill Min – N.D 0.38 0.9
Max 0.47 4.4
Mean ± S.D 0.4 ± 0.05 2.8 ± 1.8
Local fish market, Psettodes erumei Muscle Min 0.058 – – –
Hendijan Max 0.402
Mean ± S.D 0.151 ± 0.056
Otolithes ruber Muscle Min 0.098 – – –
Max 0.242
Mean ± S.D 0.115 ± 0.048
Scomberomorus Muscle Min 0.061 – – –
commerson Max 0.365
Mean ± S.D 0.107 ± 0.059
Lutjanus lutjanus Muscle Min 0.071 – – –
Max 0.302
Mean ± S.D 0.103 ± 0.059
Pampus argenteus Muscle Min 0.049 – – –
Max 0.278
Mean ± S.D 0.136 ± 0.039
Recovery 95–98 – – –
(%)
123
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Hara Biosphere Sillago sihama Gill Min 0.46 – – 2
Max 2.5 14
Mean ± S.D 1.32 ± 0.07 6.05 ± 0.66
Muscle Min 0.15 – – 0.15
Max 2.8 3.5
Mean ± S.D 0.69 ± 0.05 1.16 ± 0.04
Liver Min 1.1 – – 6.5
Max 4.5 15.75
Mean ± S.D 1.97 ± 0.08 9.56 ± 1.62
Kidney Min N.D – – N.D
Max
Mean ± S.D
Liza klunzingeri Gill Min 0.2 – – 0.1
Max 1.91 11.5
Mean ± S.D 0.79 ± 0.08 4.19 ± 0.87
Muscle Min 0.01 – – 0.01
Max 1.4 1.8
Mean ± S.D 0.32 ± 0.03 0.55 ± 0.05
Liver Min 0.6 – – 4.7
Max 3.31 13.2
Mean ± S.D 1.43 ± 0.06 7.19 ± 1.11
Kidney Min N.D – – N.D
Max
Mean ± S.D
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Pampus argenteus Gill Min 0.25 – – 0.45

Max 2.15 11.15
Mean ± S.D 0.98 ± 0.05 4.74 ± 0.84
Muscle Min 0.01 – – 0.2

Max 1.61 2.3
Mean ± S.D 0.41 ± 0.07 0.92 ± 0.06
Liver Min 0.89 – – 5.05
Max 3.13 13
Mean ± S.D 1.72 ± 0.2 7.72 ± 1.01
Kidney Min 0.17 – – 0.61
Max 2.82 9.1
Mean ± S.D 1.25 ± 0.07 5.68 ± 0.53
Platycephalus indicus Gill Min 0.6 – – 2.05
Max 2.63 14.44
Mean ± S.D 1.57 ± 0.05 7.08 ± 1.09
Muscle Min 0.16 – – 0.2
Max 2.65 3.88
Mean ± S.D 0.81 ± 0.04 1.6 ± 0.07
Liver Min 1.21 – – 7
Max 4.66 16.7
Mean ± S.D 2.22 ± 0.05 10.74 ± 1.72
Kidney Min 0.66 – – 2.33
Max 3.19 13.5
Mean ± S.D 1.81 ± 0.08 7.88 ± 1.33
123
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Liza klunzingeri Muscle Min – 0.05 0.25 –
Max 0.25 0.39
Mean ± S.D 0.16 ± 0.06 0.32 ± 0.04
Gill Min – 0.24 0.3 –
Max 0.42 0.56
Mean ± S.D 0.32 ± 0.06 0.44 ± 0.08
Liver Min – 0.51 0.5 –
Max 0.74 0.85
Mean ± S.D 0.63 ± 0.07 0.67 ± 0.11
Sillago sihama Muscle Min – 0.29 0.63 –
Max 0.59 0.79
Mean ± S.D 0.45 ± 0.09 0.71 ± 0.05
Gill Min – 0.47 0.7 –
Max 0.85 0.93
Mean ± S.D 0.65 ± 0.11 0.83 ± 0.06
Liver Min – 0.77 0.84 –
Max 1.08 1.17
Mean ± S.D 0.91 ± 0.08 0.99 ± 0.09
Oman Sea Otolithes ruber Muscle Mean – 9.39 4.12 –
Liver Mean – 20.8 22.2 –
Recovery 94–104
(%)
Euthynnus affinis Gill Mean ± S.D – – 6.16 ± 1.43 37.93 ± 12.86
Liver Mean ± S.D – – 3.39 ± 0.49 60.92 ± 5.55
Muscle Mean ± S.D – – 1.28 ± 0.22 7.12 ± 2.06
Tail fin Mean ± S.D – – 5.27 ± 2.50 2.91 ± 1.48
Katsuwonus pelamis Gill Mean ± S.D – – 4.41 ± 0.61 23.85 ± 8.16
Liver Mean ± S.D – – 3.19 ± 0.71 41.02 ± 5.84
Muscle Mean ± S.D – – 1.10 ± 0.24 4.71 ± 1.32
Tail fin Mean ± S.D – – 7.43 ± 3.0 2.95 ± 1.32
Thunnus albacares Gill Mean ± S.D – – 3.41 ± 0.99 16.91 ± 5.67
Liver Mean ± S.D – – 2.13 ± 0.37 31.81 ± 1.83
Table 1 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Muscle Mean ± S.D – – 0.67 ± 0.16 2.31 ± 1.22

Tail fin Mean ± S.D – – 3.23 ± 0.66 1.44 ± 0.40
Recovery – – 98.5 101.3
(%)
Parastromateus niger Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.18 ± 0.05 – – –
Pomadasys kaakan Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.17 ± 0.04 – – –
Sphyraena forsteri Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.26 ± 0.06 – – –
Euthynnus affinis Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.39 ± 0.11 – – –
Scomberomorus commerson Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.37 ± 0.06 – – –
Scomberomorus guttatus Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.12 ± 0.03 – – –
Recovery 98.7–103.6 – – –
(%)
Location HMs
Ni Zn As Ag Al Fe Mn
Emam Hassan Port N.D 14.50 ± 0.55 6.19 ± 2.93 N.D 55 ± 0.70 55 ± 15.9 0.50 ± 0.30
N.D 136.50 ± 3.21 10.89 ± 7.72 N.D 85 ± 2.84 270 ± 16.7 3.50 ± 1.25
0.051 ± 0.15 16.5 ± 1.20 3.115 ± 0.60 1.37 ± 0.37 40 ± 9.72 65 ± 7.07 1 ± 0.76
0.33 ± 0.04 48 ± 0.43 0.03 ± 0.00 3.96 ± 0.50 30 ± 3.90 541.5 ± 26.1 2 ± 0.34
Bushehr Port 3.14 ± 0.15 17.83 ± 0.70 11.26 ± 5.23 2.71 ± 0.90 27.7 ± 11.7 57.5 ± 11.2 2.25 ± 0.50
2.75 ± 0.26 78.49 ± 90 14.67 ± 9.49 0.007 ± 0.00 28.25 ± 3.0 180 ± 31.3 3 ± 1.01
3.16 ± 0.35 34.9 ± 0.21 4.402 ± 1.51 N.D 48.25 ± 3.80 67.5 ± 8.80 5 ± 1.06
3.78 ± 1.21 88.85 ± 0.15 0.026 ± 0.00 0.08 ± 0.00 46.84 ± 10.9 560.8 ± 24.3 5.07 ± 1.08
Ameri Port 2.31 ± 1.55 20.74 ± 7.0 16.59 ± 5.2 0.19 ± 0.09 35.2 ± 11 45 ± 11.20 1 ± 0.50
5.33 ± 1.71 123.4 ± 2.9 29.87 ± 6.4 N.D 32.2 ± 3.6 862 ± 83.0 5.5 ± 0.50
3.05 ± 0.35 30.1 ± 0.99 3.37 ± 0.15 N.D 54.75 ± 3.8 70 ± 8.80 4.75 ± 1.06
8.74 ± 4.21 87.57 ± 2.45 13.77 ± 0.0 N.D 83.57 ± 30 552 ± 25.8 5.67 ± 1.54
Nayband Bay 2.95 ± 1.62 28.57 ± 3.12 12.45 ± 5.20 1.65 ± 1.05 34.2 ± 14.0 67.5 ± 6.6 1.5 ± 0.90
2.42 ± 0.37 140.8 ± 9.24 19.96 ± 1.34 N.D 33.7 ± 3.70 387.5 ± 41.8 4.25 ± 1.40
2.66 ± 1.40 33.49 ± 1.02 2.257 ± 0.88 0.53 ± 0.20 53.75 ± 1.20 55 ± 5.50 3.5 ± 1.90
10.46 ± 3.82 87.79 ± 5.08 0.012 ± 0.0 1.28 ± 0.4 99.01 ± 36.3 899.3 ± 17.7 4.13 ± 2.40
123
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
123
Northern part 0.015 3 0.4 – 1 3 0.08
0.270 6 2 4 5 0.14
0.071 4 1 3 4 0.1
0.06 12.5 0.63 – 2.6 113 0.46
0.32 30 1.5 60.4 166 1.02
0.09 17 0.97 11.6 124 0.7
0.001 3 0.2 – 1 2 0.04
0.045 8 1 4 6 0.2
0.016 5 0.6 2 3 0.1
0.00 22 0.18 – 0.08 50 0.27
0.78 154 3.3 3.6 333 0.85
0.05 60 1.2 1.3 186 0.5
0.009 4 0.2 – 0.3 2 0.1
0.039 5 0.7 2 4 0.3
0.027 4 0.3 1 3 0.1
0.02 16.1 0.16 – 0.13 25 0.29
0.07 93 0.88 3.6 440 0.6
0.04 39 0.42 1.0 145 0.49
0.008 3 0.2 – 1 2 0.04
0.063 5 0.5 2 4 0.2
0.024 4 0.4 1.5 3 0.1
0.01 9.3 0.35 – 0.4 27 0.36
0.22 44 6.0 3 90 0.7
0.08 17.6 1.2 1.7 59 0.54
0.001 3 0.4 – 1 2 0.1
0.100 5 2 8 11 0.3
0.039 4 0.9 3 5 0.2
0.02 19.4 0.7 – 0.7 68 0.5
3.9 66 8.0 6.6 155 5.1
0.20 34 2.5 4.0 110 1.2
97–106 99–104 100 – 103 100–104 97–104
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
Musa Estuary 0.12 19.00 N.D – – – 0.90

0.31 37.00 3.90
0.22 ± 0.08 27.00 ± 8.17 1.52 ± 1.17
95.36 99.31 – – – – 109.29

Khuzestan shore 42.15 ± 48.35 – – – – 81.52 ± 0.42 –
55.11 ± 00.02 – – – – 99.15 ± 0.01 –
56.62 ± 08.23 – – – – 132.51 ± 0.23 –
42.05 ± 18.33 – – – – 73.82 ± 8.52 –
45.01 ± 10.32 – – – – 89.55 ± 0.05 –
63.02 ± 18.53 – – – – 184.21 ± 0.36 –
42.01 ± 18.03 – – – – 87.02 ± 0.02 –
45.81 ± 13.02 – – – – 101.05 ± 8.15 –
58.42 ± 11.13 – – – – 168.01 ± 0.55 –
44.45 ± 15.13 – – – – 77.42 ± 0.57 –
46.01 ± 50.22 – – – – 79.31 ± 0.45 –
53.12 ± 08.03 – – – – 103.29 ± 0.76 –
105.2 – – – – 112.4 –
Khark Island, local fishmongers 0.20 ± 0.12 16.33 ± 2.19 7.74 ± 5.71 – – 17.50 ± 7.83 0.48 ± 0.08
0.30 ± 0.20 28.98 ± 11.79 3.59 ± 1.35 – – 16.75 ± 4.97 0.93 ± 0.40
0.22 ± 0.14 19.70 ± 2.22 14.29 ± 1.29 – – 20.67 ± 10.14 0.87 ± 0.52
0.16 ± 0.03 23.47 ± 2.00 2.80 ± 1.80 – – 14.50 ± 3.84 1.44 ± 0.15
123
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
123
Khark Island 0.25 4.27 0.83 0.01 0.74 1.37 0.05
0.64 64.09 1.63 0.24 1.25 5.29 1.09
0.35 ± 0.15 18.37 ± 23.08 1.17 ± 0.34 0.09 ± 0.08 0.99 ± 0.26 2.93 ± 1.43 0.55 ± 0.43
0.38 27.91 0.43 0.03 0.79 2.54 0.43
0.73 78.81 1.30 1.67 17.85 8.82 0.95
0.49 ± 0.15 53.15 ± 21.68 0.80 ± 0.35 0.54 ± 0.66 7.14 ± 5.94 4.80 ± 2.35 0.57 ± 0.21
0.2 3.25 0.27 0.05 0.47 1.79 0.03
0.53 10.15 0.46 0.93 7.52 2.84 0.40
0.34 ± 0.12 7.04 ± 3.15 0.36 ± 0.08 0.43 ± 0.40 4.01 ± 3.49 2.34 ± 0.46 0.18 ± 0.16
0.3 5.54 0.31 0.01 0.28 1.75 0.20
0.66 33.20 0.76 0.97 4.48 6.44 2.77
0.44 ± 0.14 14.92 ± 10.78 0.46 ± 0.18 0.36 ± 0.46 3.41 ± 1.58 3.67 ± 1.87 0.74 ± 1.00
Mahshahr Port, Khozestan Province 0.951 19.2 – – – 16.3 0.319
2.83 53.5 29.5 1.41
1.93 31.7 21.7 0.765
Bushehr Port – 18.85 ± 0.83 2.03 ± 0.59 – – – –
– 19.25 ± 0.35 4.54 ± 0.63 – – – –
– 27.53 ± 1.36 N.D – – – –
– 99.30 97.05 – – – –
Qeshm Island I 95.27 ± 16.44 – 2.68 ± 0.7 – – – –
102.32 ± 38.9 – 2.13 ± 0.75 – – – –
Qeshm Island II 93.15 ± 10.32 – 0.77 ± 0.31 – – – –
107.14 ± 41 – 1.93 ± 0.55 – – – –
Khark Island 286.42 ± 29.65 – 4.43 ± 1.17 – – – –
212.93 ± 52.16 – 8.14 ± 3.64 – – – –
Khozestan province 99.37 ± 16.47 – 3.92 ± 1.26 – – – –
106.22 ± 24.16 – 5.03 ± 1.21 – – – –
Hormozgan – 38.705 ± 4.274 – – – 17.039 ± 2.143 4.613 ± 0.678
Province
– 24.488 ± 1.808 – – – 32.673 ± 5.475 2.338 ± 0.237
– 99.62 – – – 98.45 97.5
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
Northwest coastal waters 2.15 ± 0.17 – – – – – –

3.98 ± 0.32 – – – – – –
4.08 ± 0.24 – – – – – –
3.18 ± 0.22 – – – – – –
5.98 ± 021 – – – – – –
7.69 ± 0.28 – – – – – –
99.48 – – – – – –
Khuzestan Shore 42.15 ± 0.05 – – – – – –
45.11 ± 0.02 – – – – – –
66.62 ± 0.03 – – – – – –
40.45 ± 0.01 – – – – – –
41.23 ± 0.07 – – – – – –
53.12 ± 0.04 – – – – – –
41.43 ± 0.08 – – – – – –
45.25 ± 0.04 – – – – – –
48.12 ± 0.01 – – – – – –
40.15 ± 0.07 – – – – – –
44.12 ± 0.02 – – – – – –
48.34 ± 0.05 – – – – – –
112.4 – – – – – –
Coast part, local fishermen – – 5.27 ± 0.15 – (3896) ± 110 – –
– – 5 – (3762) ± 177 – –
– – 0.5 – 248.8 ± 32.6 – –
– – 94.6 – 98.5 – –
Musa Estuary 4.32 ± 1.23 7.22 ± 1.76 – – – 2.35 ± 0.42 –
66.05 ± 10.52 43.69 ± 9.3 – – – 16.47 ± 5.18 –
91.47 ± 4.3 12.37 ± 2.27 – – – 10.61 ± 2.98 –
6.27 ± 1.3 12.48 ± 9.1 – – – 7.43 ± 1.57 –
105.97 ± 4.31 182.35 ± 12.64 – – – 83.36 ± 21.83 –
44.50 ± 11.3 39.17 ± 20.2 – – – 37 ± 4.37 –
3.41 ± 0.75 10.21 ± 1.53 – – – 4.73 ± 0.58 –
123
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
123
29.17 ± 11.4 204.11 ± 36.62 – – – 47.18 ± 3.78 –
31.24 ± 12.9 94.23 ± 8.35 – – – 20.14 ± 1.95 –
Selech Estuary 1.17 ± 0.12 3.40 ± 0.52 – – – 1.18 ± 0.24 –
19.34 ± 1.8 27.21 ± 4.42 – – – 12.44 ± 2.27 –
36.12 ± 10.5 9.11 ± 0.63 – – – 6.26 ± 3.12 –
2.49 ± 0.2 8.32 ± 5.76 – – – 1.95 ± 0.2 –
40.27 ± 8.34 61 ± 15.3 – – – 22.47 ± 7.83 –
10.19 ± 4.62 16.20 ± 8.33 – – – 4.13 ± 0.52 –
1.78 ± 1.52 5.97 ± 0.78 – – – 2.05 ± 0.23 –
22.76 ± 5.33 74.31 ± 34.37 – – – 16.91 ± 10.2 –
24.13 ± 14.3 54.48 ± 2.78 – – – 12.37 ± 4.75 –
The mouth of Arvand river 1.92 ± 0.2 3.71 ± 0.21 – – – 0.98 ± 0.01 –
14.28 ± 2.53 32.47 ± 10.53 – – – 9.33 ± 1.12 –
31.36 ± 13.6 15.65 ± 1.76 – – – 6.13 ± 2.21 –
3.27 ± 0.82 4.08 ± 1.11 – – – 4.82 ± 0.04 –
72.18 ± 7.6 64.29 ± 12.47 – – – 54 ± 15.73 –
4.24 ± 0.68 11.46 ± 6.76 – – – 12.39 ± 2.68 –
2.36 ± 1.44 6 ± 1.87 – – – 2.34 ± 0.15 –
23.49 ± 9.83 114.92 ± 11.27 – – – 14.35 ± 9.64 –
20.11 ± 3.77 83.20 ± 7.93 – – – 20.93 ± 13.5 –
Bushehr Province 0.(2469) ± 0.125 28.86 ± 6.570 0.(0617) ± 0.052 – – – –
0.(2936) ± 0.135 14.215 ± 1.101 0.(0233) ± 0.013 – – – –
0.(2955) ± 0.124 37.728 ± 5.321 0.(0841) ± 0.053 – – – –
0.(2759) ± 0.229 9.323 ± 3.739 0.(0181) ± 0.007 – – – –
97 97 101 – – – –
Bandar 3.90 ± 0.05 30.89 ± 2.71 – – – – –
Abbas
5.13 ± 0.15 19.58 ± 0.79 – – – – –
2.49 ± 0.16 35.97 ± 5.33 – – – – –
4.09 ± 0.01 36.17 ± 1.02 – – – – –
98 ± 6 97 ± 2 – – – – –
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
Bushehr Port 0.435 – – – – – –

0.773
0.605 ± 0.142
0.535 – – – – – –
1.21
0.758 ± 0.264
0.331 – – – – – –
0.881
0.607 ± 0.205
0.496 – – – – – –
1.125
0.842 ± 0.254
Musa Estuary and Mahshahr Port – – 1.44 – – – –
4.41
2.72
– – 2.37 – – – –
3.25
2.71
– – 2.31 – – – –
6.60
4.40
– – 4.17 – – – –
8.95
5.10
– – 2.87 – – – –
43.60
21.59
– – 5.36 – – – –
24.40
14.94
Mahshahr Port – – 0.007 ± 0.(0015) – – – –
123
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
123
– – 0.143 ± 0.006 – – – –
– – 0.(0036) ± 0.006 – – – –
– – 0.006 ± 0.(0005) – – – –
– – 0.001 ± 0.(0003) – – – –
– – 0.(0067) ± 0.(0008) – – – –
– – 0.(0072) ± 0.(0006) – – – –
– – 0.(0084) ± 0.(0005) – – – –
– – 0.(0022) ± 0.(0003) – – – –
– – 0.(0027) ± 0.(0003) – – – –
– – 0.(0018) ± 0.(0004) – – – –
Musa Estuary 2.32 ± 0.45 – – – – – –
1.98 ± 0.36 – – – – – –
1.39 ± 0.23 – – – – – –
2.56 ± 0.63 – – – – – –
0.74 ± 0.10 – – – – – –
1.25 ± 0.17 – – – – – –
Musa Estuary 2.03 ± 0.15 – – – – – –
3.28 ± 0.30 – – – – – –
10.42 ± 1.02 – – – – – –
1.96 ± 0.21 – – – – – –
2.46 ± 0.10 – – – – – –
8.47 ± 0.93 – – – – – –
2.17 ± 0.15 – – – – – –
2.24 ± 0.28 – – – – – –
14.61 ± 1.86 – – – – – –
112 – – – – – –
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
Musa Estuary 0.28 – – – – – –

11.46
6.47 ± 0.427
0.183 – – – – – –
4.857
2.458 ± 0.218
96–100.4
Qeshm Island 0.52 ± 0.06 – – – – – –
1.42 ± 0.09 – – – – – –
0.79 ± 0.04 – – – – – –
0.29 ± 0.03 – – – – – –
1.12 ± 0.05 – – – – – –
0.65 ± 0.05 – – – – – –
102 – – – – – –
Bahrekan Bay 0.92 ± 0.49 – – – – – –
5.78 ± 1.01 – – – – – –
2.79 ± 0.63 – – – – – –
0.91 ± 0.54 – – – – – –
5.96 ± 1.61 – – – – – –
2.00 ± 0.43 – – – – – –
Bandar Abbas – 9.677 ± 2.226 – – – – –
– 5.831 ± 1.342 – – – – –
– 5.661 ± 1.679 – – – – –
– 3.317 ± 0.975 – – – – –
– 11.209 ± 3.250 – – – – –
– 3.226 ± 1.098 – – – – –
– 4.014 ± 0.745 – – – – –
– 6.514 ± 1.354 – – – – –
– 9.112 ± 2.244 – – – – –
– 11.390 ± 3.002 – – – – –
– 8.022 ± 1.918 – – – – –
123
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
123
– 10.280 ± 2.772 – – – – –
– 97 – – – – –
Khor–Ghazale 2.04 ± 0.29 – – – – – –
2.39 ± 0.29 – – – – – –
9.43 ± 1.04 – – – – – –
Khor–Ahmadi 2.16 ± 0.55 – – – – – –
2.72 ± 0.33 – – – – – –
7.89 ± 1.12 – – – – – –
Khor–Jafari 2.43 ± 0.57 – – – – – –
2.53 ± 0.12 – – – – – –
6.74 ± 1.26 – – – – – –
Khor–Zangi 2.10 ± 0.52 – – – – – –
2.27 ± 0.14 – – – – – –
1.63 ± 0.21 – – – – – –
Khor–Ghanam 1.19 ± 0.37 – – – – – –
2.53 ± 0.15 – – – – – –
6.82 ± 1.33 – – – – – –
88
Bandar Abbas 0.179 – – – – – –
0.36
0.234 ± 0.06
0.118 – – – – – –
0.36
0.184 ± 0.07
0.081 – – – – – –
0.232
0.116 ± 0.04
Northern part, Hormuz Strait – 45 – – – – –
80
62.08
– 98.1 – – – – –
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
Hendijan Port 1.6 14 – – – 31 –

2.6 24 52
2.3 ± 0.5 18.7 ± 5.8 40.9 ± 10.02
3 116 – – – 121 –
4.8 152 166
3.8 ± 0.6 132.8 ± 18.3 147.1 ± 22.21
3.3 80 – – – 99 –
4.9 111 146
4.1 ± 0.8 93.3 ± 14.3 122.4 ± 19.61
Local fish market, Hendijan – – 0.212 – – – –
0.418
0.335 ± 0.072
– – 0.202 – – – –
0.387
0.319 ± 0.052
– – 0.195 – – – –
0.479
0.280 ± 0.061
– – 0.168 – – – –
0.402
0.320 ± 0.091
– – 0.170 – – – –
0.413
0.309 ± 0.062
– – 95–98 – – – –
Hara Biosphere – 10 0.85 – – – –
28.01 2
16.8 ± 2.65 1.25 ± 0.08
– 4.66 0.01 – – – –
13 1.9
7.32 ± 1.56 0.62 ± 0.07
123
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
123
– 11.5 1.5 – – – –
41 6.5
25.54 ± 4.93 2.52 ± 0.11
– N.D N.D – – – –
– 4.05 0.44 – – – –
25.55 2
13.13 ± 3.19 0.89 ± 0.04
– 0.55 0.01 – – – –
8.38 1.31
3.5 ± 0.43 0.41 ± 0.07
– 8.05 0.71 – – – –
31.05 3.33
19.07 ± 5.19 1.5 ± 0.07
– N.D N.D – – – –
– 5.25 0.55 – – – –
25.91 1.75
14.72 ± 3.18 0.94 ± 0.09
– 1.83 0.003 – – – –
10.08 1.39
4.69 ± 0.47 0.45 ± 0.09
– 10.04 0.85 – – – –
37.79 3.5
20.63 ± 5.89 1.62 ± 0.04
– 8.58 0.66 – – – –
33.57 3
21.72 ± 5.38 1.43 ± 0.06
– 11.5 1.06 – – – –
35.5 2.26
19.8 ± 4.67 1.45 ± 0.09
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
– 5 0.01 – – – –
13.75 2.03
8.15 ± 1.72 0.75 ± 0.05
– 12.75 1.55 – – – –
40.16 6.8
28.47 ± 6.02 2.9 ± 0.25
– 14.74 0.75 – – – –
41.03 3.3
26.99 ± 6.6 2 ± 0.12
1.35 – – – – – –
1.68
1.52 ± 0.1
1.65 – – – – – –
1.95
1.78 ± 0.09
1.87 – – – – – –
2.2
2.06 ± 0.11
2.74 – – – – – –
2.98
2.87 ± 0.07
2.89 – – – – – –
3.07
2.99 ± 0.05
3 – – – – – –
3.22
3.12 ± 0.08
Oman Sea 81.1 – 1.17 – – – –
103.4 – 2.87 – – – –
– 351.43 ± 104.91 – – – – –
– 515.5 ± 34.61 – – – – –
123
Table 1 continued
Location HMs
123
– 89.18 ± 10.31 – – – – –
– 9.81 ± 8.52 – – – – –
– 125.52 ± 41.24 – – – – –
– 144.01 ± 10.06 – – – – –
– 30.57 ± 3.70 – – – – –
– 7.12 ± 1.67 – – – – –
– 106.29 ± 35.50 – – – – –
– 239.51 ± 11.93 – – – – –
– 15.45 ± 6.70 – – – – –
– 4.19 ± 0.64 – – – – –
– 97.4 – – – – –
– – 1.05 ± 0.20 – – – –
– – 3.30 ± 1.31 – – – –
– – 2.12 ± 0.88 – – – –
– – 1.44 ± 0.76 – – – –
– – 1.48 ± 0.40 – – – –
– – 0.74 ± 0.37 – – – –
– – 94.2 – – – –
Location HMs Unit Analytical method Ref

V Cr Co Mo
Emam Hassan N.D 3.06 ± 1.45 0.06 ± 0.02 0.77 ± 0.14 mg/ ICP–MS Bibak et al. (2020)
Port kg
d.w
N.D 2.69 ± 1.42 0.18 ± 0.11 1.09 ± 0.30
N.D 4.54 ± 1.42 0.09 ± 0.03 1.17 ± 0.30
1.75 ± 0.66 3.66 ± 0.89 0.89 ± 0.39 0.010 ± 0.00
Bushehr Port 0.28 ± 0.13 7.79 ± 0.24 0.12 ± 0.02 0.79 ± 0.1
N.D 6.50 ± 0.30 0.25 ± 0.15 1.33 ± 0.47
1.36 ± 0.71 7.65 ± 0.77 0.16 ± 0.01 1.14 ± 0.27
1.39 ± 0.11 8.85 ± 2.72 0.97 ± 0.35 N.D
Ameri Port 0.09 ± 0.01 5.86 ± 2.43 0.08 ± 0.02 0.72 ± 0.10
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
0.18 ± 0.02 8.83 ± 2.51 0.48 ± 0.16 2.01 ± 0.19

0.69 ± 0.04 8.00 ± 0.77 0.16 ± 0.01 1.00 ± 0.20
0.65 ± 0.06 18.44 ± 0.7 0.80 ± 0.03 N.D
Nayband Bay 0.26 ± 0.14 7.92 ± 2.37 0.12 ± 0.02 0.93 ± 0.03
0.39 ± 0.12 6.24 ± 0.43 0.41 ± 0.21 1.36 ± 0.65
0.78 ± 0.06 6.55 ± 1.54 0.14 ± 0.03 0.75 ± 0.20
2.22 ± 0.37 22.29 ± 7.92 1.31 ± 0.32 N.D
Northern part 0.003 0.025 0.003 0.001 mg/ ICP–MS Agah et al. (2009)
0.009 0.110 0.009 0.005 kg
w.w
0.006 0.056 0.006 0.003
0.019 0.020 0.06 0.027
0.300 0.520 0.17 0.115
0.143 0.071 0.12 0.075
0.002 0.006 0.002 0.(0005)
0.013 0.100 0.004 0.005
0.005 0.028 0.003 0.003
0.(0064) 0.005 0.012 0.039
0.340 0.100 0.31 0.124
0.148 0.041 0.09 0.076
0.001 0.005 0.002 0.(0004)
0.007 0.100 0.008 0.003
0.003 0.024 0.004 0.001
0.013 0.001 0.034 0.061
0.300 0.560 0.27 0.205
0.081 0.057 0.1 0.109
0.003 0.012 0.002 0.001
0.006 0.027 0.004 0.003
0.004 0.011 0.002 0.002
0.(0066) 0.00 0.006 0.029
0.160 0.100 0.02 0.036
0.108 0.099 0.01 0.033
123
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
123
0.002 0.004 0.002 0.002
0.015 0.147 0.018 0.004
0.005 0.030 0.004 0.003
0.008 0.026 0.07 0.040
0.544 0.640 0.15 0.066
0.120 0.144 0.13 0.049
107 107–103 102–103 100
Musa Estuary 0.17 0.15 0.05 – mg/ Cold vapor Hg analyzer (Hg), Soltani et al. (2019)
0.26 0.27 0.14 kg ICP–MS (other metals)
d.w
0.21 ± 0.04 0.20 ± 0.04 0.09 ± 0.04
– 97.69 107.14 –
Khuzestan shore – – 0.38 ± 0.02 – mg/ AAS Hosseini et al. (2015)
kg
d.w
– – 0.73 ± 0.01 –
– – 0.94 ± 0.01 –
– – 0.62 ± 0.45 –
– – 0.86 ± 0.17 –
– – 1.45 ± 0.31 –
– – 0.63 ± 0.25 –
– – 0.80 ± 0.03 –
– – 1.13 ± 0.05 –
– – 0.35 ± 0.02 –
– – 0.51 ± 0.04 –
– – 0.83 ± 0.35 –
– – 92.3 –
Khark Island, 0.04 ± 0.01 0.42 ± 0.26 – – mg/ Cold vapor flow injection (Hg), Akhbarizadeh et al. (2018)
local kg ICP–MS (other metals)
fishmongers d.w
0.03 ± 0.00 0.81 ± 0.49 – –
0.06 ± 0.04 0.45 ± 0.29 – –
0.04 ± 0.00 0.36 ± 0.08 – –
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
Khark Island – – – – mg/ ICP–OES Abadi et al. (2015)

kg
w.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
Mahshahr Port, – 0.490 – – mg/ ICP–OES Khorasani et al. (2013)
Khozestan 1.43 kg
Province d.w
1.02
Bushehr Port – – – – mg/ Cold vapor flow injection (Hg), Akhbarizadeh et al. (2019)
kg ICP–MS (other metals)
d.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
Qeshm Island I 4.75 ± 1.16 – – – mg/ GFAA (As), Rahmanpour et al. (2014)
kg cold vapor
w.w
technique using AAS (Hg),
ICP–AES (other metals)
3.74 ± 0.97 – – –
Qeshm Island II 1.33 ± 0.37 – – –
3.41 ± 1.04 – – –
Khark Island 17.93 ± 3.26 – – –
19.33 ± 3.86 – – –
Khozestan 5.07 ± 1.44 – – –
province
12.71 ± 2.96 – – –
Hormozgan – – – – mg/ AAS Mortazavi and Sharifian (2012)
Province kg
d.w
– – – –
– – – –
123
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
123
Northwest coastal – – 0.64 ± 0.03 – mg/ FAAS Niri et al. (2015)
waters kg
d.w
– – 4.32 ± 0.16 –
– – 4.02 ± 0.29 –
– – 1.94 ± 0.10 –
– – 3.61 ± 0.19 –
– – 5.03 ± 0.28 –
– – 98.35 –
Khuzestan Shore – – N.D – mg/ Cold vapor technique (Hg), AAS Nabavi et al. (2014)
kg (other metals)
d.w
– – 0.76 ± 0.04 –
– – 1.82 ± 0.01 –
– – 0.38 ± 0.02 –
– – 0.51 ± 0.01 –
– – 0.72 ± 0.08 –
– – N.D –
– – 0.42 ± 0.03 –
– – 0.58 ± 0.08 –
– – 0.31 ± 0.02 –
– – 0.39 ± 0.08 –
– – 0.51 ± 0.01 –
– – 92.3 –
Coast part, local – – – – lg/kg ICP–OES Pilehvarian et al. (2015)
fishermen d.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
Musa Estuary – – 0.14 ± 0.03 – mg/ AAS Abdolahpur Monikh et al. (2012)
kg
d.w
– – 1.27 ± 0.31 –
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
– – 1.32 ± 0.3 –
– – 0.27 ± 0.03 –
– – 3.41 ± 1.14 –
– – 2.33 ± 1.04 –
– – 0.12 ± 0.1 –
– – 1.37 ± 0.73 –
– – 1.94 ± 1.02 –
Selech Estuary – – 0.18 ± 0.08 –
– – 0.94 ± 0.1 –
– – 1.02 ± 0.13 –
– – 0.38 ± 0.03 –
– – 2.91 ± 0.73 –
– – 1.20 ± 0.2 –
– – 0.10 ± 0.1 –
– – 1.43 ± 1.02 –
– – 1.52 ± 0.98 –
The mouth of – – 0.21 ± 0.01 –
Arvand river
– – 1.14 ± 0.13 –
– – 1.08 ± 0.1 –
– – 3.21 ± 1.37 –
– – 23.26 ± 8.93 –
– – 4.29 ± 1.48 –
– – 0.98 ± 0.52 –
– – 8.91 ± 3.21 –
– – 6.93 ± 2.04 –
Bushehr Province – – – – mg/ Advanced mercury analyzer (Hg), Roomiani et al. (2018)
kg FAAS (other metals)
d.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
123
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
123
Bandar – – – – mg/ FAAS Naji et al. (2016)
Abbas kg
d.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
Bushehr Port – – – – mg/ ICP Dobaradaran et al. (2010)
kg
w.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
Musa Estuary and – – – – mg/ Hg Analyzer with a cold vapor Keshavarzi et al. (2018)
Mahshahr Port kg technique (Hg), ICP–MS (other
d.w metals)
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
Mahshahr Port – 0.(0796) ± 0.01 – – mg/ ICP–AES Norouzi (2020)
kg
w.w
– 0.(0374) ± 0.(0014) – –
– 0.(0513) ± 0.008 – –
– 0.(0467) ± 0.008 – –
– 0.(0498) ± 0.004 – –
– 0.146 ± 0.(0052) – –
– 0.19 ± 0.(0094) – –
– 0.156 ± 0.015 – –
– 0.12 ± 0.02 – –
– 0.174 ± 0.(0183) – –
– 0.18 ± 0.017 – –
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
Musa Estuary – – 0.44 ± 0.09 – mg/ FAAS Abdolahpur Monikh et al.

kg (2013a, 2013b)a
d.w
– – 0.80 ± 0.10 –
– – 0.47 ± 0.09 –
– – 0.61 ± 0.11 –
– – 0.95 ± 0.13 –
– – 1.44 ± 0.21 –
Musa Estuary – – N.D – mg/ FAAS Abdolahpur Monikh et al.
kg (2013a, 2013b)b
d.w
– – 0.75 ± 0.10 –
– – 1.63 ± 0.27 –
– – N.D –
– – 0.97 ± 0.10 –
– – 0.83 ± 0.13 –
– – N.D –
– – 1.20 ± 0.11 –
– – 1.08 ± 0.37 –
– – 103 –
Musa Estuary 0.910 – – – mg/ Mercury Analyzer (Hg) and AAS (Ni Ravanbakhsh et al. (2020)
5.95 kg and V)
w.w
2.92 ± 0.209
0.617 – – –
7.151
1.431 ± 0.365
86.87–99.2
Qeshm Island – 0.33 ± 0.02 – – mg/ FAAS Norouzi et al. (2012)
kg
w.w
– 0.83 ± 0.05 – –
– 0.49 ± 0.03 – –
– 0.16 ± 0.02 – –
123
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
123
– 0.71 ± 0.03 – –
– 0.48 ± 0.02 – –
– 99 – –
Bahrekan Bay 0.22 ± 0.07 – – – mg/ ICP–AES Mohammadi Rouzbahani (2017)
kg
d.w
2.29 ± 0.67 – – –
1.08 ± 0.52 – – –
0.20 ± 0.07 – – –
1.86 ± 0.93 – – –
1.67 ± 0.62 – – –
Bandar Abbas – – – mg/ Potentiometric Saei–Dehkordi and Fallah (2011)
kg stripping analyzer (PSA)
w.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
Khor–Ghazale – – N.D – mg/ FAAS Safahieh et al. (2011)
kg
d.w
– – 0.94 ± 0.12 –
– – 0.91 ± 0.02 –
Khor–Ahmadi – – N.D –
– – 1.08 ± 0.28 –
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
– – 0.83 ± 0.03 –
Khor–Jafari – – N.D –
– – 1.03 ± 0.21 –
– – 1.04 ± 0.1 –
Khor–Zangi – – N.D –
– – 0.98 ± 0.19 –
– – 0.86 ± 0.02 –
Khor–Ghanam – – N.D –
– – 0.91 ± 0.12 –
– – 0.8 ± 0.01 –
110
Bandar Abbas – 0.018 – – mg/ AAS equipped with a hydride Malakootian et al. (2016)
0.097 kg generator (Hg), GFAAS (other
d.w metals)
0.059 ± 0.03
– 0.02 – –
0.05
0.033 ± 0.01
– 0.004 – –
0.052
0.011 ± 0.01
Northern part, – – – – mg/ AAS Bastami, Afkhami, et al. (2015),
Hormuz Strait kg Bastami, Neyestani, et al.
d.w (2015))a
– – – –
Hendijan Port – – – – mg/ FAAS Farhadi et al. (2013)
kg
d.w
– – – –
– – – –
Local fish market, – – – – mg/ Cold vapor atomic absorption Raissy and Ansari (2014)
Hendijan kg spectrophotometer flow injection
w.w mercury/hydride
analyzer
123
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
123
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
Hara Biosphere – – – – mg/ GFAAS Mohammadnabizadeh et al. (2013)
kg
w.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– 0.38 – – mg/ GFAAS Mohammadnabizadeh et al. (2012)
0.56 kg
w.w
0.5 ± 0.05
– 0.7 – –
1.05
0.87 ± 0.11
– 0.85 – –
1.18
1.04 ± 0.1
Table 1 continued
V Cr Co Mo
– 0.42 – –
0.86
0.63 ± 0.12
– 0.69 – –
1.33
0.99 ± 0.17
– 0.87 – –
1.62
1.26 ± 0.23
Oman Sea – 9.02 – – mg/ FAAS Sadeghi et al. (2019)
kg
d.w
– 119.3 – –
– – – – mg/ AAS Sadeghi et al. (2020)
kg
d.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – – mg/ Mercury Analyzer (Hg) and ICP–MS Okati et al. (2020)
kg (As)
w.w
– – – –
– – – –
123
been shown to be carcinogenic for humans (Abarshi

et al., 2017; Arulkumar et al., 2017). In aquatic
ecosystems, Pb can be easily absorbed into a fish’s
bloodstream and accumulate in organs, subsequently
entering the human body via consumption (Bosch
et al., 2016). The literature review illustrated a wide
range of values for Pb concentrations in different
species and regions. Pb values ranged from \ LOD to
50 mg/kg d.w. The highest maximum concentration of
Ref
Pb (50 mg/kg d.w, mean: 31.39 mg/kg d.w) was

reported for Liza klunzingeri in the Strait of Hormuz,
which is approximately 30 times greater than the FDA
standard. Also, the highest mean concentration of Pb
was observed in the liver of Cynoglossurs arel
sampled from the mouth of Arvand River (43.27 mg/
kg d.w). The highest mean concentration of Pb in
Analytical method
muscle tissue (6.46 mg/kg d.w) was observed in

Sphyraena jello from Bandar Abbas, which is higher
than the FDA permissible limit. Furthermore, muscle
Pb concentrations greater than permissible limits were
observed in various fish species including Euryglossa
orientalis, Cynoglossurs arel, Thunnus tonggol, Liza
Unit
klunzingeri, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Sphyraena jello,

Scomberomorus guttatus, Otolithes ruber, Liza sub-
viridis, and Johnius belangerii from different regions
along the Persian Gulf.
Copper is an essential element with many important
Mo
–
–
–
–
roles in metabolism and hemoglobin synthesis. How-

ever, consumption of seafood containing large
amounts of Cu can cause adverse health outcomes
such as liver and kidney damage (Yap et al., 2016).
Co
According to Table 1, Cu concentrations in fish

–
–
–
–
species ranged from 0.1 mg/kg w.w in the muscle

tissue of Pomadasys, Platycephalus, Epinephelus
tauvina, Otolithes ruber, and Pampus argenteus to
1790 mg/kg d.w in the liver of Cynoglossurs arel.
Very high Cu concentrations were found in the liver of
Cynoglossurs arel from Mahshahr Port and Musa
Cr
–
–
–
–
Estuary with a mean concentration of 1065.50 mg/kg

d.w (371–1790 mg/kg d.w). High mean concentra-
tions of Cu were also found in the liver of Euryglossa
orientalis from two sites in Musa Estuary (281.37 and
HMs
340.73 mg/kg d.w). Mean Cu concentration in the

V
–
–
–
–
muscle tissue of Otolithes ruber from Mahshahr Port

Table 1 continued
N.D: Not detected
was 25.3 mg/kg d.w, which is higher than the WHO,

U.K, Turkey, and Thailand standard limits. Also,
mean Cu concentrations in the muscle tissue of
Location
Euryglossa orientalis from Musa Estuary (12.68 mg/

kg d.w) and Sphyraena jello from Bandar Abbas
123
Table 2 Concentration of HMs in fish species from the Caspian Sea
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Mazandaran and Golestan provinces Acipenser Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.006 ± 0.005 0.008 ± 0.003 1.912 ± 0.534
gueldenstaedti
Acipenser Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.001 ± 0.001 0.005 ± 0.004 1.655 ± 0.759
nudiventris
Acipenser persicus Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.006 ± 0.004 0.012 ± 0.006 1.721 ± 0.367
Acipenser stellatus Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.002 ± 0.001 0.037 ± 0.019 1.224 ± 0.458
Huso huso Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.002 ± 0.002 0.011 ± 0.007 1.772 ± 0.305
Anzail, Nowshahr, Babblsar and Torkman Rutilus rutilus Muscle Min \ 0.05 \ 0.001 \ 0.001 \ 0.001
caspicus Max 0.46 0.020 0.028 0.951
Mean ± S.D 0.20 ± 0.11 0.008 ± 0.005 0.005 ± 0.008 0.262 ± 0.242
Gobies Muscle Min \ 0.05 \ 0.001 0.002 0.985
(Unidentified) Max 0.43 0.004 0.017 1.08
Mean ± S.D 0.17 ± 0.13 0.002 ± 0.001 0.007 ± 0.003 0.862 ± 0.112
Clupeonella Muscle Min \ 0.05 0.005 0.008 1.55
delicatula Max 0.17 0.025 0.034 2.51
Mean ± S.D 0.05 ± 0.05 0.013 ± 0.005 0.015 ± 0.006 1.94 ± 0.26
Rutilus frisii kutum Muscle Min 0.07 \ 0.001 0.002 0.751
Max 0.34 0.002 0.022 1.63
Mean ± S.D 0.19 ± 0.08 0.001 ± 0.001 0.008 ± 0.006 1.01 ± 0.25
Mazandaran and Torkman Huso huso Muscle Min 0.22 \ 0.001 \ 0.001 0.617
Max 3.5 0.020 0.575 2.21
Mean 1.4 0.001 0.022 1.42
Acipenser persicus Muscle Min 0.11 \ 0.001 \ 0.001 0.921
Max 1.6 0.233 0.096 3.56
Mean 0.33 0.002 0.006 1.74
Acipenser Muscle Min 0.13 \ 0.001 \ 0.001 0.871
gueldenstaedtii Max 1.2 0.022 0.164 3.52
Mean 0.32 0.002 0.005 1.73
Acipenser Muscle Min 0.18 \ 0.001 \ 0.001 0.796
nudiventris Max 1.9 0.006 0.017 3.92
Mean 0.67 \ 0.001 0.002 2.12
123
Table 2 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Acipenser stellatus Muscle Min \ 0.05 \ 0.001 \ 0.001 0.719
Max 0.31 0.019 0.131 3.59
Mean 0.06 \ 0.001 0.013 1.50
South–western part Cyprinus carpio Whole Mean ± S.D 0.044 ± 0.012 0.005 ± 0.001 0.020 ± 0.051 2.404 ± 1.499
body
Rutilus frisii kutum Whole Mean ± S.D 0.065 ± 0.005 0.011 ± 0.006 0.065 ± 0.039 2.948 ± 0.841
body
Recovery (%) 94.12–108.79
Southern part Rutilus rutilus Muscle Min – 0.00 0.00 0.00
caspicus Max 0.04 0.04 0.77
Mean ± S.D 0.02 ± 0.01 0.02 ± 0.02 0.22 ± 0.01
Recovery (%) – 95 95 98
Anzali region Sander lucioperca Whole Min – N.D – 0.22
body Max 24.7
Mean ± S.D 9.3 ± 7.76
Rutilus frisii kutum Whole Min – – – 0.12
body Max – 2.55
Mean ± S.D 0.54 0.22 ± 0.67
Alburnus Whole Min – – – 0.45
chalcoides body Max – 5.75
Mean ± S.D 0.48 1.46 ± 1.97
Liza aurata Whole Min – N.D – 0.1
body Max 40.1
Mean ± S.D 3.6 ± 11.0
Recovery (%) – 84 – 107
Southern part Liza aurata Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.35 ± 0.23 1.50 ± 0.53 4.54 ± 1.07
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.90 ± 0.59 3.61 ± 0.70 5.53 ± 1.01
Liver Mean ± S.D – 1.07 ± 0.68 2.60 ± 0.76 160.39 ± 40.01
Mazandaran Province Liza saliens Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.02 ± 0.00 1.70 ± 0.08 155.73 ± 6.85
Heart Mean ± S.D – 0.01 ± 0.00 3.64 ± 0.16 1.46 ± 0.04
Spleen Mean ± S.D – 0.02 ± 0.00 4.32 ± 0.22 27.00 ± 1.16
Brain Mean ± S.D – N.D 3.73 ± 0.18 5.15 ± 0.25
Table 2 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Red Mean ± S.D – 0.019 ± 0.00 4.55 ± 0.20 12.90 ± 0.59

muscle
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.01 ± 0.00 1.41 ± 0.06 0.44 ± 0.02
White Mean ± S.D – N.D 0.82 ± 0.05 0.71 ± 0.04

muscle
Gonads Mean ± S.D – N.D 1.20 ± 0.04 0.52 ± 0.03
Kidney Mean ± S.D – 0.01 ± 0.00 0.87 ± 0.03 2.53 ± 0.10
Golestan province Acipenser persicus Caviar Min – 0.03 0.001 1.10
Max 0.07 0.02 1.76
Mean ± S.D 0.05 ± 0.01 0.01 ± 0.006 1.42 ± 0.22
Recovery (%) 93.1–101.7
Golestan province Acipenser persicus Caviar Min – – 0.001 –
Max 0.018
Mean ± S.D \ 0.01 ± 0.002
Recovery (%) – – 98.89 –
Gorgan Bay Cyprinus carpio Muscle Min – 0.14 0.23 –
Max 0.41 0.66
Mean ± S.D 0.26 ± 0.09 0.43 ± 0.14
Sander lucioperca Muscle Min – 0.05 0.43 –
Max 0.45 0.62
Mean ± S.D 0.09 ± 0.12 0.53 ± 0.6
Liza auratus Muscle Min – 0.2 7.57 –
Max 0.37 9.53
Mean ± S.D 0.25 ± 0.05 8.6 ± 0.58
Liza saliens Muscle Min – 0.08 1.3 –
Max 0.11 2.4
Mean ± S.D 0.09 ± 0.008 1.7 ± 0.35
Alosa caspia Muscle Min – 0.08 0.22 –
Max 0.11 0.5
Mean ± S.D 0.09 ± 0.008 0.34 ± 0.09
Recovery (%) – 97 98 –
123
Table 2 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Chaloos, Anzali, Roodsar and Fereidonkenar Rutilus frisii kutum Whole Mean ± SEM – 0.17 ± 0.04 0.38 ± 0.04 –
body
Liza aurata Whole Mean ± SEM – 0.03 ± 0.00 0.21 ± 0.02 –
body
Cyprinus carpio Whole Mean ± SEM – 0.09 ± 0.02 0.38 ± 0.04 –
body
Recovery (%) – 94.3 93.3 –
Guilan and Mazandaran Provinces Acipenser persicus Muscle Min – – – 0.48
Max 1.62
Mean ± S.D 1.00 ± 0.32
Caviar Min – – – 0.54
Max 4.19
Mean ± S.D 2.05 ± 0.98
Recovery (%) – – – 102.5
Astara, Rezvanshahr, Anazali, Ramsar, and Rutilus frisii kutum Muscle Min – 0.01 0.2 –
Tonekabon cities Max 0.08 1.5
Mean ± S.D 0.05 ± 0.01 0.8 ± 0.1
Liver Min – 0.01 0.3 –
Max 0.13 2.7
Mean ± S.D 0.06 ± 0.01 1.1 ± 0.1
Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan Provinces Acipenser persicus Caviar Min – 0.001 1.05 –
Max 0.05 3.17
Mean ± S.D 0.01 ± 0.01 2.11 ± 0.88
Gills Min – 0.55 8.58 –
Max 0.95 15.58
Mean ± S.D 0.75 ± 0.08 12.85 ± 1.61
Heart Min – 0.04 7.25 –
Max 0.16 16.88
Mean ± S.D 0.08 ± 0.04 11.82 ± 2.64
Kidney Min – 0.65 0.55 –
Max 10.37 7.41
Mean ± S.D 3.35 ± 2.20 2.87 ± 2.22
Table 2 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Liver Min – 0.97 11.32 –

Max 7.66 26.25
Mean ± S.D 4.06 ± 1.68 18.52 ± 4.21
Muscle Min – 0.005 1.72 –

Max 0.09 4.72
Mean ± S.D 0.02 ± 0.02 2.97 ± 0.97
Ovary Min – 0.02 0.92 –
Max 0.33 11.92
Mean ± S.D 0.09 ± 0.07 4.81 ± 3.40
Acipenser stellatus Heart Min – 0.01 7.20 –
Max 0.10 9.62
Mean ± S.D 0.06 ± 0.04 8.69 ± 1.01
Kidney Min – 0.10 0.89 –
Max 1.42 3.94
Mean ± S.D 0.71 ± 0.53 1.88 ± 1.23
Liver Min – 1.45 8.80 –
Max 2.21 24.96
Mean ± S.D 1.70 ± 0.32 16.78 ± 5.72
Muscle Min – 0.004 0.98 –
Max 0.009 3.10
Mean ± S.D 0.006 ± 0.002 2.18 ± 0.91
Huso huso Heart Min – 0.001 6.01 –
Max 0.04 10.02
Mean ± S.D 0.02 ± 0.02 7.94 ± 1.66
Liver Min – 1.46 4.21 –
Max 1.74 6.93
Mean ± S.D 1.56 ± 0.13 5.43 ± 0.91
Muscle Min – 0.02 0.87 –
Max 0.06 2.75
Mean ± S.D 0.046 ± 0.02 1.69 ± 0.89
123
Table 2 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Ovary Min – 0.02 5.01 –
Max 0.02 6.12
Mean ± S.D 0.02 ± 0.001 5.69 ± 0.52
Recovery (%) 87.8–109
Eastern beach Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 95.52 ± 19.12 165.35 ± 37.93 –
Mugila auratus Muscle Mean ± S.D – 35.64 ± 11.76 88.51 ± 37.14 –
Rutilus frisii kutum Muscle Mean ± S.D – 36.45 ± 15.05 97.53 ± 26.12 –
Western beach Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 56.23 ± 12.07 81.56 ± 13.32 –
Gorgan coast Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 93.25 ± 7.93 168.5 ± 32.31 –
Eastern beach Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 93.65 ± 21.02 167.57 ± 57.33 –
Western beach Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 59.13 ± 10.96 79.36 ± 11.57 –
Gorgan coast Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 97.30 ± 8.90 169.8 ± 36.38 –
Bandar Anzali coast Liza aurata Muscle Min – 0.14 0.01 –
Max 1.59 0.65
Mean ± S.D 0.68 ± 0.32 0.072 ± 0.05
Location HMs
Ni Zn As Ag Al Fe V
Mazandaran and Golestan provinces – 21.640 ± 7.418 – 0.002 ± 0.001 – – 0.017 ± 0.016
– 20.410 ± 7.038 – 0.002 ± 0.002 – – 0.012 ± 0.005
– 18.810 ± 3.873 – 0.001 ± 0.001 – – 0.011 ± 0.006
Table 2 continued
Location HMs
Ni Zn As Ag Al Fe V
– 17.950 ± 3.684 – 0.002 ± 0.002 – – 0.017 ± 0.011

– 24.470 ± 5.052 – 0.002 ± 0.001 – – 0.048 ± 0.008
Anzail, Nowshahr, Babblsar and Torkman – 14.5 – \ 0.001 – – 0.003
25.3 0.010 0.037

18.8 ± 2.5 0.003 ± 0.003 0.016 ± 0.008
– 12.7 – \ 0.001 – – 0.004
29.2 0.004 0.019
17.3 ± 4.0 0.001 ± 0.001 0.008 ± 0.003
– 17.2 – \ 0.001 – – 0.007
96.4 0.001 0.024
57.5 ± 24.1 0.001 ± 0.(0003) 0.012 ± 0.006
– 12.5 – \ 0.001 – – 0.006
22.9 0.018
17.2 ± 3.0 0.012 ± 0.005
Mazandaran and Torkman – 11.6 – \ 0.001 – – \ 0.001
42.9 0.005 0.064
20.2 \ 0.001 0.009
– 11.6 – \ 0.001 – – 0.001
68.9 0.055 0.045
21.7 \ 0.001 0.011
– 11.7 – \ 0.001 – – \ 0.001
52.8 0.007 0.107
22.0 \ 0.001 0.014
– 12.7 – \ 0.001 – – 0.007
52.7 0.007 0.044
27.2 \ 0.001 0.017
– 13.3 – \ 0.001 – – 0.003
34.8 0.008 0.070
20.3 \ 0.001 0.019
South–western part 0.120 ± 0.071 3.533 ± 1.101 \ 0.(0018) – – 3.401 ± 0.986 –
0.096 ± 0.039 3.792 ± 1.130 \ 0.(0018) – – 4.151 ± 1.244 –
123
Table 2 continued
Location HMs
Ni Zn As Ag Al Fe V
123
Southern part 16.80 – – – – –
22.40
19.45 ± 2.70
– 102 – – – – –
Anzali region – 11.2 – – – 2.1 –
– 38.9 14.6
1.16 23.3 ± 7 7.12 ± 5.04
– 11.2 – – – 2.9 –
– 69.7 548.1
8.1 26.8 ± 13.6 140.1 ± 198.2
– 8.9 – – – 21 –
– 98.9 178
0.42 38.5 ± 30.4 80.9 ± 66.3
1.4 11.7 – – – 61 –
2.3 51.2 510
1.9 ± 0.6 27.5 ± 12.7 217 ± 171
101 72 – – – 72 –
Southern part 0.73 ± 0.32 13.69 ± 7.23 – – – 67.52 ± 33.53 –
1.43 ± 0.36 60.14 ± 26.60 – – – 371.52 ± 222.44 –
1.01 ± 0.38 78.97 ± 29.93 – – – 415.35 ± 223.97 –
Mazandaran Province 1.76 ± 0.09 13.61 ± 0.60 – – – 50.70 ± 1.22 –
4.37 ± 0.14 7.50 ± 0.32 – – – 40.77 ± 1.18 –
2.67 ± 0.12 6.50 ± 0.32 – – – 358.16 ± 11.10 –
3.66 ± 0.18 8.29 ± 0.38 – – – 15.20 ± 0.59 –
4.80 ± 0.21 3.20 ± 0.15 – – – 3.97 ± 0.17 –
2.68 ± 0.13 1.72 ± 0.08 – – – 24.75 ± 0.89 –
1.93 ± 0.08 5.11 ± 0.23 – – – 3.56 ± 0.13 –
0.87 ± 0.04 7.96 ± 0.40 – – – 7.42 ± 0.35 –
2.85 ± 0.14 40.10 ± 1.64 – – – 14.39 ± 0.47 –
Table 2 continued
Location HMs
Ni Zn As Ag Al Fe V
Golestan province – – 0.002 – – – –

0.017
0.01 ± 0.004
Golestan province – – 0.002 – – 63.46 –

0.017 79.20
\ 0.01 ± 0.002 71.33 ± 0. 37
– – 98.47 – – 98.88 –
Gorgan Bay – – – – – 412.5 –
660.5
501.65 ± 69.98
– – – – – 377.5 –
559.5
455.6 ± 53.19
– – – – – 802.5 –
(1017).5
914.6 ± 73.93
– – – – – 311 –
472
380.65 ± 47.32
– – – – – 974 –
(1343).5
(1181).25 ± 128.84
– – – – – 99 –
Chaloos, Anzali, Roodsar and 0.52 ± 0.09 – – – 1.25 ± 0.13 – –
Fereidonkenar
0.12 ± 0.02 – – – 0.89 ± 0.11 – –
0.44 ± 0.05 – – – 2.46 ± 0.29 – –
93.3 – – – 94.3 – –
123
Table 2 continued
Location HMs
Ni Zn As Ag Al Fe V
123
Guilan and Mazandaran Provinces – 3.98 – – – – –
13.71
7.49 ± 3.07
– 10.94 – – – – –
41.47
21.48 ± 6.50
– 105 – – – – –
Astara, Rezvanshahr, Anazali, Ramsar, and 0.5 – – – – – –
Tonekabon cities 1.5
1.1 ± 0.1
0.1 – – – – – –
2.8
1.5 ± 0.1
Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan – 14.44 – – – – –
Provinces 84.91
44.73 ± 19.54
– 22.42 – – – – –
76.62
48.46 ± 15.3
– 88.73 – – – – –
147.70
116.30 ± 18.88
– 50.30 – – – – –
131.56
88.09 ± 17.92
– 49.51 – – – – –
148.96
91.79 ± 29.42
– 13.30 – – – – –
40.32
23.05 ± 8.46
Table 2 continued
Location HMs
Ni Zn As Ag Al Fe V
– 109.25 – – – – –
207.06
171.26 ± 26.78
– 82.00 – – – – –
129.70
100.87 ± 18.81
– 56.86 – – – – –
88.36
73.53 ± 13.97
– 78.32 – – – – –
144.81
106.42 ± 25.38
– 11.17 – – – – –
24.52
16.82 ± 4.9
– 105.72 – – – – –
219.22
182.26 ± 51.87
– 103.56 – – – – –
128.61
114.83 ± 12.42
– 12.60 – – – – –
23.10
18.92 ± 4.46
– 87.5 – – – – –
128.61
103.45 ± 15.56
Eastern beach – – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
Western beach – – – – – – –
123
Table 2 continued
Location HMs
Ni Zn As Ag Al Fe V
123
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
Gorgan coast – – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
Eastern beach – – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
Western beach – – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
Gorgan coast – – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
Bandar Anzali coast – – – – – – –

Cr Co Mo
Mazandaran and Golestan provinces 0.325 ± 0.113 0.009 ± 0.004 0.011 ± 0.005 mg/kg ICP–MS Pourang et al. (2005)
w.w
0.369 ± 0.130 0.008 ± 0.007 0.017 ± 0.010
0.314 ± 0.099 0.002 ± 0.001 0.002 ± 0.001
0.401 ± 0.085 0.003 ± 0.002 0.002 ± 0.002
0.372 ± 0.093 0.007 ± 0.003 0.006 ± 0.001
Anzail, Nowshahr, Babblsar and 0.14 0.010 \ 0.001 mg/kg HG–AAS (Hg), ICP–MS Anan et al. (2005)
Torkman 1.4 0.031 0.137 d.w (other metals)
0.45 ± 0.28 0.018 ± 0.006 0.020 ± 0.031
0.18 0.008 0.006
0.35 0.055 0.031
0.27 ± 0.06 0.023 ± 0.014 0.011 ± 0.005
Table 2 continued
Cr Co Mo
0.27 0.022 0.016

1.1 0.039 0.026
0.43 ± 0.20 0.028 ± 0.005 0.020 ± 0.003
0.18 0.006 0.009

0.50 0.017 0.016
0.33 ± 0.08 0.009 ± 0.003 0.012 ± 0.002
Mazandaran and Torkman 0.23 0.004 0.003 mg/kg CV–AAS (Hg) Agusa et al. (2004)
0.90 0.031 0.022 d.w ICP–MS (other metals)
0.38 0.009 0.007
0.21 \ 0.001 \ 0.001
0.61 0.045 0.033
0.37 0.004 0.002
0.21 0.003 \ 0.001
0.64 0.054 0.028
0.36 0.011 0.005
0.20 \ 0.001 \ 0.001
0.63 0.092 0.056
0.36 0.014 0.006
0.22 \ 0.001 \ 0.001
0.95 0.030 0.034
0.37 0.007 0.003
South–western part – 0.028 ± 0.018 – mg/kg CV–AAS (Hg), GFAAS Heshmati et al. (2017)
d.w (other metals)
– 0.019 ± 0.010 –
Southern part 0.28 – – mg/kg GFAAS (Cd, Cr and Pb), Vali and Naser (2011)
1.10 d.w air–acetylene flame (Cu,
0.63 ± 0.38 Zn and Mn)
96 – –
123
Table 2 continued
Cr Co Mo
123
Anzali region 0.36 N.D – mg/kg ICP–MS Mirzajani et al. (2016a, 2016b)b
1.47 d.w
0.77 ± 0.46
1.1 N.D –
1.7
1.4 ± 0.34
N.D N.D –
N.D – –
–
1.34
94 79 –
Southern part 0.74 ± 0.33 – – mg/kg FAAS and GFAAS Jelodar et al. (2011)
d.w
0.99 ± 0.38 – –
0.92 ± 0.36 – –
Mazandaran Province – – – mg/kg FAAS Ebrahimzadeh et al. (2011)
w.w
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
Golestan province – 0.002 – mg/kg ICP–OES Sobhanardakani et al. (2018)
0.017 d.w
0.01 ± 0.004
Golestan province 0.19 0.002 – mg/kg ICP–OES Hosseini et al. (2013)
0.35 0.017 w.w
0.27 ± 0.019 \ 0.01 ± 0.001
98.77 98.12 –
Table 2 continued
Cr Co Mo
Gorgan Bay 6.01 – – mg/kg FAAS Alipour and Banagar (2018)

6.83 w.w
6.4 ± 0.27
5.08 – –
5.98
5.56 ± 0.26
0.79 – –
1.07
0.93 ± 0.09
1.31 – –
1.63
1.3 ± 0.1
8.01 – –
10.01
9.15 ± 0.62
99.5 – –
Chaloos, Anzali, Roodsar and – – – mg/kg GFAAS Fallah, Saei-Dehkordi, et al. (2011),
Fereidonkenar w.w Fallah, Zeynali, et al. (2011))b
– – –
– – –
– – –
Guilan and Mazandaran Provinces – – – mg/kg FAAS Mashroofeh et al. (2012)
w.w
– – –
– – –
Astara, Rezvanshahr, Anazali, Ramsar, 0.7 – – mg/kg ICP–OES Naghipour et al. (2016)
and Tonekabon cities 2.7 d.w
1.7 ± 0.2
0.9 – –
4.5
2.1 ± 0.2
123
Table 2 continued
Cr Co Mo
123
Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan – – – mg/kg FAAS and GFAAS Mashroofeh et al. (2013)
Provinces d.w
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
Eastern beach 44.53 ± 10.83 – – lg/kg FAAS and GFAAS Saravi and Shokrzadeh (2013)
w.w
91.82 ± 17.31 – –
89.12 ± 44.13 – –
Western beach 25.46 ± 7.12 – –
70.20 ± 29.47 – –
43.10 ± 13.45 – –
Gorgan coast 53.62 ± 8.12 – –
43.19 ± 15.49 – –
35.18 ± 16.03 – –
Eastern beach – – – lg/kg FAAS and GFAAS Saravi et al. (2012)
w.w
– – –
– – –
Western beach – – –
– – –
(10.67 mg/kg d.w) were slightly higher than the WHO

permissible limit. Moreover, the mean concentration
of Cu in the whole body of Liza klunzingeri
Solgi and Esfandi Sarafraz (2015)

(32.47 mg/kg d.w) from the Strait of Hormuz was
greater than all permissible limits recommended for
fish.
The concentration of Ni is generally very low in the
environment (Rahmani et al., 2018). Ni is an essential
element in biological and nutritional functions at low
concentrations, but it is toxic at high concentrations
and can cause several health problems such as
Ref
emphysema, fibrosis, inflammation, and tumors

(Authman et al., 2015; Yap et al., 2016). Ni concen-
trations ranged from \ LOD to 286.42 mg/kg w.w
(mean). The highest concentration of Ni was reported
Analytical method
in the liver of Johnius belangerii from Khark Island,

with a mean concentration of 286.4 mg/kg w.w. Ni
levels in muscle tissue of all species were lower than
GFAAS
the permissible limits, except for Johnius belangerii

from Musa Estuary with a maximum concentration of
11.46 mg/kg w.w, which is slightly higher than the
mg/kg
d.w
Unit
WHO standard. Moreover, relatively high concentra-

tions of Ni ([ 40 mg/kg d.w) were observed in the
non-edible tissues of Liza abu, Euryglossa orientalis,
Otolithes ruber, and Psettodes erumei from near-shore
areas in Khuzestan Province.
Mo
Zinc is the second most common and abundant

–
–
–
–
–
trace element after Fe, and serves essential roles in

human health, several system functions, and metabolic
processes (Authman et al., 2015; Izah et al., 2017).
However, in excess amounts, Zn is toxic and can cause
different health problems in humans and other organ-
Co
–
–
–
–
–
isms (Yap et al., 2016). Zn concentrations ranged from

3 mg/kg w.w in the muscle tissue of Pomadasys,
Platycephalus, Otolithes ruber, and Pampus argen-
teus in the northern part of the Persian Gulf to
HMs
204.11 mg/kg d.w (mean) in the liver of Cynoglossurs

Cr
–
–
–
–
–
arel in Musa Estuary. Zn concentration in the muscle

tissue of Scomberomorus guttatus from Khark Island
was greater than all permissible limits, with a maxi-
mum value of 64.09 mg/kg w.w, while its mean
concentration (18.37 mg/kg w.w) was lower than all
standard limits. Furthermore, high mean concentra-
Bandar Anzali coast
tions of Zn were observed in the muscle tissue of

Table 2 continued
N.D: Not detected
Rastrelliger kanagurta and Sphyraena jello from

Gorgan coast
Bandar Abbas (35.97 and 36.17 mg/kg d.w, respec-

tively), Otolithes ruber from Mahshahr Port (31.7 mg/
Location
kg d.w), the whole body of Liza klunzingeri from Strait

of Hormuz (62.08 mg/kg d.w), the whole body of
123
Table 3 Concentration of HMs in fish species from wetlands
Location Species Tissue Analytical results HMs
123
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Shadegan International Wetland Barbus grypus Muscle Min – 0.16 3.63 1.15
Max 0.48 30.85 4.68
Mean 0.28 12.87 2.49
Gill Min – 0.47 8.53 17.68
Max 0.60 17.21 29.7
Gonad Mean
Min – 0.001
0.53 2.39
12.87 1.77
23.69
Max 1.82 41.12 74.08
Mean 0.71 22.11 16.0
Liver Min – 0.50 6.78 7.37
Max 0.59 8.19 10.01
Mean 0.54 7.48 8.69
Barbus luteus Muscle Min – 0.001 1.13 2.2
Max 0.57 4.53 7.38
Mean 0.16 2.09 3.52
Gill Min – 0.001 1.86 3.74
Max 0.49 3.64 5.75
Mean 0.26 2.52 4.43
Gonad Min – 0.001 0.93 1.36
Max 0.50 3.8 9.21
Mean 0.11 1.65 5.6
Liver Min – 0.001 1.04 16.5
Max 0.02 4.78 28.87
Mean 0.001 2.28 26.37
Barbus sharpeyi Muscle Min – 0.01 1.46 1.55
Max 0.43 14.55 6.50
Mean 0.14 5.70 3.21
Gill Min – 0.01 3.36 1.05
Max 1.17 12.78 24.94
Mean 0.26 7.46 6.02
Table 3 continued
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Gonad Min – 0.001 3.88 3.94

Max 0.54 9.0 7.17
Mean 0.18 6.55 5.22
Liver Min – 0.04 7.63 14.74

Max 0.25 8.01 46.4
Mean 0.14 7.82 30.57
Cyprinus carpio Muscle Min – 0.17 0.91 3.39
Max 0.48 31.79 8.22
Mean 0.29 6.39 4.97
Gill Min – 0.19 1.86 4.02
Max 2.14 5.81 24.24
Mean 0.56 3.29 8.47
Gonad Min – 0.19 0.95 3.39
Max 0.38 20.80 7.46
Mean 0.27 5.08 4.60
Liver Min – 0.49 7.84 19.53
Max 0.71 9.25 22.05
Mean 0.60 8.59 21.71
Silurius trisostegus Muscle Min – 0.25 0.81 0.77
Max 0.28 1.64 2.33
Mean 0.26 1.37 1.49
Gill Min – 0.29 2.01 0.91
Max 0.31 2.49 1.52
Gonad Mean
Min – 0.23
0.3 1.16
2.25 2.23
1.22
Max 0.46 5.58 3.07
Mean 0.29 2.41 2.44
Liver Min – 0.27 1.5 1.91
Max 0.59 4.14 6.06
Mean 0.46 2.5 4.71
123
Table 3 continued
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Liza abu Whole body Min – 0.05 2.46 2.54
Max 1.57 17.29 8.71
Mean 0.41 6.07 5.0
Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean – 0.29 6.39 4.67
Gill Mean – 0.56 2.29 8.47
Liver Mean – 0.60 8.59 21.71
Kidney Mean – 0.81 16.86 15.64
Barbus sharpeyi Muscle Mean ± S.E 0.042 ± 0.001 0.24 ± 0.014 0.50 ± 0.030 –
Liver Mean ± S.E 0.057 ± 0.003 0.27 ± 0.022 0.58 ± 0.047 –
Gill Mean ± S.E 0.065 ± 0.002 0.34 ± 0.037 0.68 ± 0.034 –
Anzali International Wetland Ctenopharyngodon idella Muscle Min – 0.15 0.55 4.45
Max 0.25 1.55 9.90
Mean ± S.D 0.21 ± 0.05 0.88 ± 0.39 6.66 ± 6.66
Gill Min – 0.25 0.95 6.15
Max 0.50 2.50 11.05
Mean ± S.D 0.35 ± 0.09 1.56 ± 0.65 8.78 ± 1.88
Kidney Min – 0.40 1.80 9.80
Max 1.30 4.50 23.9
Mean ± S.D 0.70 ± 0.35 3.03 ± 1.01 15.30 ± 5.40
Liver Min – 0.80 2.20 25.0
Max 1.20 2.60 26.20
Mean ± S.D 1.00 ± 0.28 2.40 ± 0.28 25.60 ± 0.85
Intestine Min – 0.80 1.95 16.20
Max 1.35 3.80 20.55
Mean ± S.D 1.08 ± 0.20 2.69 ± 0.71 18.32 ± 1.84
Table 3 continued
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Perca fluviatilis Muscle Min – 0.10 0.55 7.30

Max 0.30 2.30 13.00
Mean ± S.D 0.19 ± 0.01 1.18 ± 0.80 10.02 ± 2.20
Gill Min – 0.25 0.95 8.95

Max 0.85 3.35 14.5
Mean ± S.D 0.41 ± 0.19 1.84 ± 0.80 11.62 ± 2.32
Kidney Min – N.D N.D N.D
Max
Mean ± S.D
Liver Min – 0.70 1.30 17.60
Max 1.40 3.00 25.80
Mean ± S.D 1.00 ± 2.27 ± 0.54 21.99 ± 2.57
0.24
Intestine Min – 0.70 1.90 9.90
Max 1.60 3.10 19.10
Mean ± S.D 1.02 ± 0.36 2.34 ± 0.48 15.18 ± 3.81
Carassius gibelio Muscle Min – 0.05 0.8 6.0
(Group I) Max 0.55 2.3 9.4
Mean ± S.D 0.29 ± 0.19 1.3 ± 0.5 7.4 ± 1.1
Gill Min – 0.20 1.7 8.9
Max 0.70 6.0 19.9
Mean ± S.D 0.40 ± 0.17 3.1 ± 1.6 11.9 ± 4.1
Kidney Min – 0.40 1.6 13.8
Liver Max
Min – 0.60
0.80 2.6
2.2 15.6
21.0
Mean
Max ± S.D 0.65
1.4 ± 0.19 3.9
4.0 ± 0.3 17.1
24.6 ± 3.0
Mean ± S.D 1.05 ± 0.34 3.1 ± 0.6 20.5 ± 3.8
Max 0.90 3.1 14.3
Mean ± S.D 0.63 ± 0.22 2.3 ± 0.5 12.2 ± 2.1
123
Table 3 continued
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Carassius gibelio Muscle Min – 0.1 0.7 5.1
(Group II) Max 0.35 0.8 9.9
Mean ± S.D 0.21 ± 0.09 1.1 ± 0.4 7.2 ± 1.7
Gill Min – 0.2 1.4 10.5
Max 0.95 4.7 18.8
Kidney Min
Mean ± S.D – 0.20
0.45 ± 0.29 3.2
2.7 ± 1.1 14.0
15.4 ± 2.8
Max 1.0 5.0 20.6
Mean ± S.D 0.64 ± 0.30 3.9 ± 0.7 16.9 ± 2.1
Liver Min – 0.8 1.7 20.4
Max 1.0 2.7 28.0
Mean ± S.D 0.90 ± 0.14 2.2 ± 0.3 24.1 ± 5.4
Max 1.20 3.5 18.4
Mean ± S.D 0.80 ± 0.43 2.8 ± 0.6 17.2 ± 1.4
Esox lucius Muscle Min – 0.15 0.6 6.0
(Group I) Max 0.35 1.4 15.5
Mean ± S.D 0.22 ± 0.10 0.9 ± 0.3 9.1 ± 3.3
Gill Min – 0.20 2.5 9.9
Max 0.70 4.5 14.4
Mean ± S.D 0.42 ± 0.17 3.1 ± 0.8 12.7 ± 1.6
Kidney Min – 0.60 2.6 16.4
Max 1.20 4.8 23.2
Mean ± S.D 0.92 ± 0.23 3.7 ± 0.8 19.8 ± 3.0
Liver Min – 1.40 2.6 19.7
Max 2.40 4.0 27.6
Mean ± S.D 1.96 ± 0.4 3.3 ± 0.7 22.8 ± 3.2
Max 1.45 3.8 22.5
Mean ± S.D 1.27 ± 0.13 3.0 ± 0.7 18.5 ± 3.0
Table 3 continued
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Esox lucius Muscle Min – 0.10 0.6 6.0

(Group II) Max 0.95 2.7 15.5
Mean ± S.D 0.21 ± 0.05 1.2 ± 0.7 8.8 ± 3.3
Gill Min – 0.20 2.3 10.5

Max 0.95 4.9 18.8
Mean ± S.D 0.44 ± 0.27 3.7 ± 1.0 14.0 ± 2.8
Kidney Min – 0.60 4.8 15.8
Max 1.4 6.4 28.0
Mean ± S.D 1.0 ± 0.32 5.4 ± 0.6 20.8 ± 4.7
Liver Min – 1.3 4.0 18.7
Max 2.6 6.7 34.1
Mean ± S.D 1.96 ± 0.56 5.4 ± 1.1 24.2 ± 6.1
Max 1.35 3.5 24.4
Mean ± S.D 1.10 ± 0.18 2.4 ± 0.8 21.9 ± 2.3
Esox lucius Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.004 ± 0.001 0.13 ± 0.01 0.21 ± 0.02
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.014 ± 0.009 0.199 ± 0.05 0.95 ± 0.6
Esox lucius Muscle Mean ± S.E – 0.82 ± 0.06 0.22 ± 0.02 5.68 ± 0.31
Miankaleh International Wetland Rutilus rutilus caspicus Muscle Min – 0.19 0.24 –
Max 0.33 0.99
Mean ± S.D 0.25 ± 0.04 0.67 ± 0.23
Gill Min – 0.18 0.50 –
Max 0.48 2.11
Liver Min
Mean ± S.D – 0.57
0.30 ± 0.09 0.55
1.25 ± 0.50 –
Max 1.44 2.40
Mean ± S.D 0.96 ± 0.25 1.53 ± 0.51
123
Table 3 continued
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Neogobius gorlap Muscle Min – 0.20 0.55 –
Max 0.58 1.30
Mean ± S.D 0.35 ± 0.13 0.91 ± 0.23
Gill Min – 0.24 0.88 –
Max 0.97 2.77
Liver Min
Mean ± S.D – 0.55
0.43 ± 0.19 1.09
1.55 ± 0.56 –
Max 2.11 3.10
Mean ± S.D 1.20 ± 0.50 2.06 ± 0.62
Rutilus rutilus caspicus Muscle Min – 0.19 0.24 0.95
Max 0.33 0.99 3.11
Mean ± S.D 0.26 ± 0.04 0.67 ± 0.23 1.6 ± 0.6
Rutilus frisii kutum Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.39 ± 0.06 2.08 ± 0.21 4.54 ± 1.10
Skin Mean ± S.D – 0.48 ± 0.09 3.38 ± 0.38 3.34 ± 0.92
Al Hawizah Wetland Liza abu Muscle Mean – 0.15 – 4.52
Liver Mean – 0.42 – 15.64
Gill Mean – 0.57 – 11.43
Barbus grybus Muscle Mean – 0.42 – 1.87
Liver Mean – 0.92 – 18.42
Gill Mean – 0.61 – 10.67
Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean – 0.32 – 6.6
Liver Mean – 0.77 – 11.42
Gill Mean – 0.81 – 16.32
Recovery (%) 93–108
Alagol Wetland Cyprinus carpio Muscle Min – N.D N.D 1.22
Max 0.14 21.86 39.43
Mean ± S.D 0.04 ± 0.02 5.84 ± 5.22 7.92 ± 7.99
Gomishan Wetland Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 47.22 ± 9.36 141.82 ± 18.45 –
Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 48.32 ± 10.47 143.01 ± 23.65 –
Table 3 continued
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Liza saliens Muscle Min – 82.5 0.75 –

Max 245 30
Mean ± S.D 163.26 ± 35.82 12.46 ± 8.62
Zarivar Wetland Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.33 ± 0.1 0.41 ± 0.2 2.10 ± 0.7
Liver Mean ± S.D – 2.53 ± 0.7 2.11 ± 0.2 4.68 ± 0.6
Cyprinus carpio Gill Min 0.2 0.02 0.9 1.8
Max 1.7 0.3 2.6 3.0
Mean ± S.D 1.1 ± 0.4 0.1 ± 0.1 1.6 ± 0.5 2.4 ± 0.4
Scale Min 0.2 0.01 0.6 1.4
Max 1.3 0.3 1.7 2.2
Mean ± S.D 0.8 ± 0.3 0.1 ± 0.1 1.1 ± 0.3 1.7 ± 0.2
Muscle Min 0.4 0.01 0.8 1.6
Max 1.9 0.2 2.3 2.8
Mean ± S.D 1.1 ± 0.4 0.1 ± 0.08 1.4 ± 0.4 2.1 ± 0.4
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Gill Min 0.5 0.05 0.9 1.4
Max 2.2 0.3 2.1 2.9
Mean ± S.D 1.3 ± 0.6 0.2 ± 0.1 1.6 ± 0.4 2.1 ± 0.5
Scale Min 0.6 0.02 0.6 1.1
Max 1.4 0.2 1.7 2.6
Mean ± S.D 1.1 ± 0.2 0.1 ± 0.1 1.2 ± 0.3 1.8 ± 0.5
Muscle Min 0.3 0.04 0.8 1.2
Max 1.3 0.2 1.9 2.7
Mean ± S.D 0.8 ± 0.3 0.1 ± 0.07 1.5 ± 0.3 1.9 ± 0.5
Recovery (%) 98.9–100
Location HMs
Shadegan International Wetland 1.18 10.06 – – – – 0.49

5.40 36.33 3.28
2.59 23.37 1.67
123
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
123
2.45 93.10 – – – – 3.93
2.55 112.0 4.97
2.50 102.55 4.45
0.50 44.99 – – – – 1.62
6.81 192.82 19.58
3.60
2.38 66.91
89.87 – – – – 3.02
9.76
43.10 88.81 5.75
22.74 77.86 4.39
0.65 25.22 – – – – 1.0
1.82 67.53 11.21
0.96 45.51 4.17
0.60 48.67 – – – – 16.49
1.75 71.25 17.31
1.23 59.34 16.54
0.66 65.37 – – – – 1.32
1.46 172.45 3.00
0.88 100.43 1.9
0.68 76.24 – – – – 4.75
2.18 140.05 6.3
1.76 119.36 5.77
0.35 22.65 – – – – 0.85
2.55 90.14 4.20
1.40 45.43 2.15
1.00 27.48 – – – – 1.55
3.55 220.04 20.55
2.20 88.68 13.45
1.17 57.18 – – – – 1.48
2.54 120.89 18.54
1.80 88.21 6.03
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
2.52 64.38 – – – – 3.0

2.71 119.48 5.50
2.62 91.93 4.25
0.57 7.92 – – – – 0.70

5.70 37.64 1.31
1.50 28.57 1.03
0.70 266.6 – – – – 2.19
2.26 (1142).79 9.60
1.37 610.9 6.69
0.75 26.97 – – – – 1.01
2.83 101.16 2.47
1.18 68.95 1.60
1.09 473.03 – – – – 3.67
3.62 641.89 6.23
2.76 528.20 5.55
0.51 17.42 – – – – 0.67
0.75 34.79 1.34
0.64 23.92 0.83
0.59 61.38 – – – – 12.03
0.64 69.47 13.32
0.61 65.43 12.67
0.54 38.64 – – – – 5.09
0.96 51.23 10.14
0.6
0.72 27.97
46.02 – – – – 2.53
7.55
1.7 67.39 4.9
1.04 49.21 3.75
1.91 23.69 – – – – 1.61
3.68 87.86 33.85
2.63 4.95 24.8
1.50 28.57 – – – – –
1.37 610.9 – – – – –
123
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
123
2.76 528.2 – – – – –
1.82 642.5 – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
Anzali International Wetland – 23.25 – – – – –
33.00
27.25 ± 4.09
– 14.85 – – – – –
23.65
20.53 ± 3.57
– 21.65 – – – – –
34.10
26.57 ± 4.92
– 29.60 – – – – –
32.80
31.20 ± 2.26
– 20.55 – – – – –
32.00
25.49 ± 4.34
– 16.45 – – – – –
37.05
27.76 ± 6.90
– 17.25 – – – – –
43.50
28.82 ± 9.62
– N.D – – – – –
– 22.20 – – – – –
41.00
29.01 ± 6.65
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
– 18.70 – – – – –
23.70
21.54 ± 2.22
– 14.9 – – – – –
22.8
19.4 ± 2.8
– 18.7 – – – – –
45.0
31.3 ± 10.0
– 24.6 – – – – –
34.6
28 ± 4.6
– 24.2 – – – – –
31.4
27.4 ± 3.0
– 23.1 – – – – –
28.1
25.8 ± 2.5
– 16 – – – – –
28.1
22.2 ± 4.1
– 18.7 – – – – –
35
– 27.0
21.8 ± 7.3 – – – – –
28
23.9 ± 2.5
– 25.4 – – – – –
28.2
26.8 ± 1.9
– 21.1 – – – – –
25.7
23.2 ± 2.3
123
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
123
– 20.9 – – – – –
33.7
28.6 ± 4.0
– 24 – – – – –
37.3
– 33.6
29.8 ± 4.9 – – – – –
55.2
41.6 ± 10.0
– 38.8 – – – – –
54.9
46.5 ± 10.0
– 20.5 – – – – –
37.1
28.9 ± 6.9
– 15 – – – – –
25.5
21.3 ± 3.72
– 18.7 – – – – –
35
29.2 ± 6.9
– 28.6 – – – – –
46.2
36.9 ± 6.4
– 38.8 – – – – –
68.7
49.6 ± 12.5
– 23.5 – – – – –
31.5
27.5 ± 3.3
– 2.55 ± 0.18 – – – – –
– 3.02 ± 1.5 – – – – –
– 54.26 ± 0.87 – – – – –
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
Miankaleh International Wetland 0.10 – – – – – –

0.44
0.21 ± 0.10
0.33 – – – – – –
0.89
0.64 ± 0.16
0.37 – – – – – –
0.99
0.58 ± 0.21
0.12 – – – – – –
0.81
0.45 ± 0.19
0.32 – – – – – –
1.55
0.86 ± 0.37
0.79 – – – – – –
2.21
1.14 ± 0.35
0.1 4.97 0.09 – – 11.06 –
0.44 9.32 0.81 47.08
0.21 ± 0.1 7.2 ± 1.5 0.31 ± 0.19 28 ± 11.6
– 16.52 ± 3.23 – – – – –
– 40.55 ± 6.10 – – – – –
Al Hawizah Wetland 1.24 12.21 – – – 75.62 –
4.36 28.74 – – – 80.55 –
3.87 30.92 – – – 107.82 –
2.37 15.23 – – – 92.41 –
3.21 32.78 – – – 177.38 –
2.74 24.88 – – – 193.95 –
1.52 19.2 – – – 82.48 –
4.62 28.11 – – – 240.68 –
123
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
123
4.62 46.52 – – – 273.25 –
Alagol Wetland – 1.15 – – – – –
477.00
120.90 ± 106.25
Gomishan Wetland – – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
Zarivar Wetland – 3.65 ± 1.1 – 0.61 ± 0.1 – 1.46 ± 0.9 2.32 ± 0.6
– 15.16 ± 3.1 – 2.45 ± 0.8 – 15.98 ± 5.2 4.08 ± 0.9
0.1 – – – – – –
0.7
0.4 ± 0.2
0.04 – – – – – –
0.4
0.2 ± 0.3
0.1 – – – – – –
0.8
0.3 ± 0.2
0.1 – – – – – –
0.7
0.4 ± 0.2
0.03 – – – – – –
0.4
0.2 ± 0.1
0.2 – – – – – –
0.6
0.4 ± 0.1
Table 3 continued
V Cr Co Mo
V Cr Co Mo
Shadegan International Wetland 6.08 0.47 0.63 – mg/kg d.w ICP–AES Alhashemi, Karbassi, et al. (2012), Alhashemi, Sekhavatjou, et al. (2012))b
16.95 1.44 5.12

9.62 0.87 2.12
11.80 1.51 1.40 –
12.75 1.75 2.25
12.27 1.63 1.82
2.83 0.12 0.51 –
16.86 6.42 5.13
12.16 1.78 2.81
12.21 1.50 1.76 –
13.67 1.76 2.19
12.94 1.63 1.94
0.43 0.1 0.28 –
9.17 2.6 0.61
4.87 0.70 0.41
4.39 0.31 0.49 –
8.62 1.6 0.71
5.84 0.87 0.61
1.77 0.13 0.23 –
8.12 1.74 0.96
4.07 0.47 0.42
1.84 0.01 0.24 –
6.75 0.96 0.79
4.37 0.47 0.59
1.68 0.46 0.49 –
12.35 1.25 1.64
6.75 0.76 0.91
123
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
123
1.67 0.18 0.61 –

14.17 5.09 1.60
10.88 1.33 1.28
6.13 0.30 0.70 –
14.78 1.61 1.79
9.52
12.66 1.14
0.84 1.45
1.16 –
12.82 1.97 1.54
12.74 1.55 1.50
0.95 0.62 0.20 –
17.32 1.75 5.31
4.73 0.98 1.08
0.93 0.70 0.29 –
8.71 9.52 0.95
4.51 2.11 0.61
0.94 0.61 0.14 –
9.76 1.09 3.04
3.61 0.83 0.85
5.97 1.45 0.95 –
8.45 2.87 2.41
7.69 2.10 1.88
0.11 0.67 0.23 –
2.93 0.96 0.34
1.56 0.86 0.28
1.84 0.71 0.3 –
1.88 0.79 0.34
1.86 0.75 0.32
0.92 0.69 0.23 –
4.19 1.0 0.45
2.14 0.83 0.36
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
1.06 0.76 0.32 –

6.77 1.78 0.95
3.85 1.28 0.58
5.11 1.66 0.62 –

8.66 4.21 3.16
6.72 2.60 1.26
– 0.98 – – mg/kg d.w ICP–AES Alhashemi, Karbassi, et al. (2012), Alhashemi, Sekhavatjou, et al. (2012))a
– 2.11 – –
– 2.10 – –
– 1.64 – –
– – – – mg/kg d.w GFAAS (Cd and Pb), Taravati et al. (2012)
Hg analyzer
– – – –
– – – –
Anzali International – 0.25 – – mg/kg d.w AAS Yazdi et al. (2012)
Wetland 0.70
0.48 ± 0.16
– 0.50 – –
1.10
0.76 ± 0.23
– 0.70 – –
2.90
1.56 ± 0.87
– 0.80 – –
1.40
1.10 ± 0.42
– 0.85 – –
1.70
1.46 ± 0.35
123
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
123
– 0.20 – –
0.95
0.53 ± 0.28
– 0.45 – –
0.40
– 0.79
N.D ± 0.37 – –
– 3.60 – –
4.85
4.20 ± 0.85
– 0.60 – –
1.50
1.14 ± 0.36
– 0.4 – – mg/kg d.w FAAS Ebrahimpour et al. (2011)
1.0
0.7 ± 0.2
– 0.3 – –
1.5
1.0 ± 0.4
– 1.8 – –
3.2
2.5 ± 0.6
– 1.6 – –
3.8
2.7 ± 0.9
– 0.7 – –
1.4
1.1 ± 0.3
– 0.5 – –
0.9
0.7 ± 0.1
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
– 0.5 – –
2.2
1.4 ± 0.6
– 1.6 – –
3.4
2.6 ± 0.7
– 1.6 – –
3.8
2.7 ± 0.9
– 0.6 – –
1.5
1.1 ± 0.4
– 0.4 – –
1.1
0.7 ± 0.3
– 0.3 – –
1.9
1.5 ± 0.4
– 2.6 – –
5.4
4.0 ± 1.0
– 0.7 – –
4.9
– 2.8
1.2 ± 1.3 – –
2.2
1.7 ± 0.4
– 0.3 – –
0.9
0.6 ± 0.2
123
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
123
– 1.25 – –
2.0
1.7 ± 0.3
– 1.0 – –
2.1
– 2.1
2.5 ± 0.9 – –
6.3
4.4 ± 1.5
– 1.0 – –
2.1
1.4 ± 0.5
– – – – mg/kg d.w AAS Imanpour Namin et al. (2011)
– – – –
– – – – mg/kg d.w FAAS Ebrahimi Sirizi et al. (2012)
Miankaleh International Wetland – 0.01 – – mg/kg w.w GFAAS Alipour et al. (2013)
0.15
0.08 ± 0.03
– 0.09 – –
0.25
0.17 ± 0.04
– 0.18 – –
0.55
0.33 ± 0.13
– 0.09 – –
0.31
0.18 ± 0.06
– 0.09 – –
0.58
0.29 ± 0.15
Table 3 continued
Location HMs
– 0.33 – –
1.15
0.70 ± 0.25
– 0.01 – – mg/kg w.w FAAS Alipour et al. (2015)

0.15
0.08 ± 0.03
– – – – mg/kg w.w AAS Hassanpour et al. (2014)
– – – –
Al Hawizah Wetland – 0.83 – – mg/kg d.w ICP–MS Janadeleh and Kameli (2017)
– 2.31 – –
– 1.82 – –
– 1.12 – –
– 10.62 – –
– 4.12 – –
– 0.32 – –
– 0.43 – –
– 3.22 – –
Alagol Wetland – – – – mg/kg d.w Pulse polarography Zafarzadeh et al. (2018)
Gomishan Wetland – 34.57 ± 6.31 – – lg/kg w.w FAAS and GFAAS Saravi and Shokrzadeh (2013)
– 124.04 ± 19.36 – –
– 67.65 ± 23.84 – –
– – – – lg/kg w.w FAAS and GFAAS Saravi et al. (2012)
– – – –
– – – –
– – – – lg/kg d.w GFAAS Solgi and Yaghobifar (2016)
Zarivar Wetland – 0.97 ± 0.2 – – mg/kg w.w ICP–OES Mansouri et al. (2017)
– 2.85 ± 0.9 – –
– – – – mg/kg d.w GFAAS Majnoni et al. (2013)
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
123
Pampus argenteus from Hormozgan Province

(38.71 mg/kg d.w), and Liza subviridis from different
sites in the northern part of the Persian Gulf (30.1,
33.49 and 34.9 mg/kg d.w).
Arsenic is one of the main toxic and nonessential
elements in nature. Arsenic exists in organic and
inorganic forms in the environment, with its inorganic
form being more toxic than the organic form
Mn
(Taghizadeh et al., 2017). In humans, chronic expo-

sure to As can lead to several types of cancer such as
skin, bladder, kidney, and lung cancer, as well as other
diseases (Griboff et al., 2017). The concentrations of
As ranged from \ LOD to 43.60 mg/kg d.w. The
highest As concentration was found in the muscle
tissue of Cynoglossurs arel from Musa Estuary and
Mahshahr Port, with average and maximum concen-
Fe
trations of 21.59 and 43.60 mg/kg d.w, respectively.

High mean concentrations of As in muscle tissue were
also observed in Sphyraena jello (16.59 mg/kg d.w)
and Liza subviridis (4.4 mg/kg d.w) from the northern
part of the Persian Gulf, Anodontostoma chacunda
Al
(2.72 mg/kg d.w) and Johnius belangerii (4.40 mg/kg

d.w) from Musa Estuary and Mahshahr Port, Epine-
phelus coioides (2.03 mg/kg d.w) and Platycephalus
Ag
indicus (4.54 mg/kg d.w) from Bushehr Port, and

–
–
Alepes djedaba (7.74 mg/kg d.w), Epinephelus

coioides (3.59 mg/kg d.w), Sphyraena jello
As
(14.29 mg/kg d.w), and Platycephalus indicus

–
–
(2.80 mg/kg d.w) from Khark Island. The mean

concentration of As in muscle tissue of Scombero-
morus guttatus from Khark Island was 1.17 mg/kg
w.w, which is higher than the WHO, FAO, New
Zealand, and China standard limits. Also, the mean
concentration of As in the muscle tissue of Pomadasys
Zn
–
–
spp. (1 mg/kg w.w) from the northern part of the

Persian Gulf was higher than the China standard and
HMs
equal to the WHO, FAO, and New Zealand standard

Ni
–
–
limits.
In comparison with most HMs, Ag compounds
have low toxicity, and their absorption by the human
body is minimal when digested. However, at high
levels, some Ag compounds could be toxic for humans
(Farzin et al., 2017). Ag values ranged from \ LOD to
3.96 mg/kg d.w (mean) in the liver of Liza subviridis
Table 3 continued
N.D: Not detected
from Emam Hassan Port. Higher Ag concentrations

compared to the WHO permissible limit were reported
in the muscle tissue of two species from Khark Island:
Location
a maximum concentration of 0.24 mg/kg w.w in

Scomberomorus guttatus, and maximum and mean
123
Table 4 Concentration of HMs in fish species from rivers
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Zayandeh–Rood River (Chaharmahal–va–Baghtiari Oncorhynchus mykiss Muscle Min 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.717
Province) Max 1.952 0.769 3.188 17.211
Mean ± SEM 0.292 ± 0.181 0.130 ± 0.068 1.201 ± 0.373 8.398 ± 1.681
Liver Min 0.088 0.000 0.744 9.965

Max 2.148 7.231 7.136 70.105
Mean ± SEM 1.408 ± 0.217 2.202 ± 0.666 2.907 ± 0.536 33.687 ± 5.872
Arvand River (Khuzestan Province) Liza abu Muscle Min 0.24 N.D 0.90 1.00
Max 0.53 1.30 2.20
Mean ± S.D 0.37 ± 0.14 1.05 ± 0.19 1.43 ± 0.53
Leuciscus vorax Muscle Min 0.56 N.D 1.20 0.50
Max 1.10 1.70 3.10
Mean ± S.D 0.73 ± 0.25 1.45 ± 0.24 2.33 ± 1.22
Coptodon zillii Muscle Min 0.19 N.D 1.30 0.70
Max 0.47 4.00 1.40
Mean ± S.D 0.33 ± 0.13 2.03 ± 1.32 1.18 ± 0.32
Recovery (%) 99.57 – 111.00 98.29
Tajan River (Mazandaran Province) Rutilus frisii kutum Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.325 ± 0.016 3.120 ± 0.122 1.680 ± 0.054
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.090 ± 0.002 1.020 ± 0.042 1.350 ± 0.048
Gill Mean ± S.D – 2.373 ± 0.089 2.420 ± 0.100 0.140 ± 0.005
Heart Mean ± S.D – 0.300 ± 0.011 2.900 ± 0.145 2.020 ± 0.078
Bile Mean ± S.D – 0.158 ± 0.005 1.730 ± 0.051 1.990 ± 0.066
Brain Mean ± S.D – 0.432 ± 0.015 3.450 ± 0.132 2.940 ± 0.138
Aras River Cyprinus carpio Flesh Mean ± S.D N.D N.D N.D 0.22 ± 0.14
Sezar River (Lorestan Province), Station I Capoeta damascina Muscle Mean ± S.D – N.D 9 ± 1.2 7.1 ± 1
Gill Mean ± S.D – N.D 67.6 ± 5.1 6.3 ± 2
Sezar River (Lorestan Province), Station II Capoeta damascina Muscle Mean ± S.D – N.D 6.2 ± 2 8.1 ± 6
Gill Mean ± S.D – N.D 1.7 ± 1.1 35.3 ± 6
Sezar River (Lorestan Province), Station III Capoeta damascina Muscle Mean ± S.D – N.D 9.1 ± 3 9 ± 7.1
Gill Mean ± S.D – N.D 8.5 ± 2.1 7.3 ± 2
Karoon River (Khuzestan Province) Liza abu Muscle Mean ± S.E 0.024 ± 0.001 0.49 ± 0.02 0.97 ± 0.14 –
Liver Mean ± S.E 0.026 ± 0.002 0.52 ± 0.03 1.03 ± 0.13 –
123
Table 4 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
123
Gill Mean ± S.E 0.027 ± 0.002 0.54 ± 0.26 1.08 ± 0.12 –
Barbus grypus Muscle Mean ± S.E 0.73 ± 0.06 0.84 ± 0.08 1.75 ± 0.10 –
Liver Mean ± S.E 0.79 ± 0.08 1.07 ± 0.08 2.10 ± 0.13 –
Gill Mean ± S.E 0.89 ± 0.07 1.27 ± 0.07 2.25 ± 0.(1708) –
Barbus xanthopterus Muscle Mean ± S.E 1.28 ± 0.06 1.67 ± 0.05 2.37 ± 0.42 –
Liver Mean ± S.E 1.42 ± 0.08 1.91 ± 0.04 2.78 ± 0.47 –
Gill Mean ± S.E 1.34 ± 0.10 2.17 ± 0.10 2.91 ± 0.48 –
Gharasou River (Kermanshah Province) Cyprinus carpio Muscle Min – 0.(0007) 0.012 0.43
Max 0.003 0.02 0.60
Liver Min – 0.(0005) 0.011 0.63
Max 0.001 0.05 0.85
Gill Min – 0.(0004) 0.016 0.45
Max 0.002 0.03 0.92
Capoeta trutta Muscle Min – 0.(0004) 0.006 0.25
Max 0.002 0.011 0.45
Liver Min – 0.(0006) 0.013 0.63
Max 0.008 0.027 0.80
Gill Min – 0.001 0.010 0.34
Max 0.007 0.015 0.95
Ctenopharyngodon Muscle Min – 0.002 0.002 0.38
idella Max 0.003 0.003 0.51
Liver Min – 0.001 0.015 0.49
Max 0.003 0.023 0.92
Gill Min – 0.(0004) 0.012 0.56
Max 0.002 0.015 1.3
Karkheh River (Khuzestan Province) Liza abu Muscle Mean ± S.E 0.017 ± 0.001 0.25 ± 0.01 0.73 ± 0.01 –
Liver Mean ± S.E 0.018 ± 0.001 0.28 ± 0.01 0.74 ± 0.01 –
Gill Mean ± S.E 0.019 ± 0.000 0.29 ± 0.01 0.77 ± 0.01 –
Dez River (Khuzestan Province) Barbus grypus Muscle Mean ± S.E 0.90 ± 0.03 1.09 ± 0.01 1.29 ± 0.06 –
Liver Mean ± S.E 1.06 ± 0.06 1.34 ± 0.01 1.55 ± 0.01 –
Gill Mean ± S.E 0.94 ± 0.30 1.49 ± 0.01 1.70 ± 0.02 –
Barbus xanthopterus Muscle Mean ± S.E 0.77 ± 0.14 0.79 ± 0.06 0.95 ± 0.10 –
Table 4 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Liver Mean ± S.E 0.95 ± 0.02 1.04 ± 0.07 1.26 ± 0.11 –

Gill Mean ± S.E 0.63 ± 0.02 1.19 ± 0.08 1.40 ± 0.11 –
Barbus grypus Muscle Min – 0.103 0.228 –
Max – –
Mean ± S.D 0.111 ± 0.006 0.236 ± 0.050
Gill Min – 0.147 0.265 –
Max 0.168 0.298
Mean ± S.D 0.156 ± 0.009 0.281 ± 0.013
Dez River (Khuzestan Province) Liza abu Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.023 ± 0.001 0.348 ± 0.031 0.903 ± 0.037 –
Liver Mean ± S.D 0.025 ± 0.001 0.346 ± 0.040 0.923 ± 0.030 –
Gill Mean ± S.D 0.025 ± 0.001 0.363 ± 0.028 0.935 ± 0.037 –
Bahmanshir River (Khuzestan Province) Liza abu Muscle Mean ± S.D 0.027 ± 0.003 0.434 ± 0.035 0.930 ± 0.036 –
Liver Mean ± S.D 0.028 ± 0.004 0.466 ± 0.040 1.03 ± 0.085 –
Gill Mean ± S.D 0.029 ± 0.005 0.506 ± 0.047 1.07 ± 0.096 –
Liza abu Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.017 ± 0.006 1.909 ± 0.185 6.876 ± 0.452
Acanthopagrus latus Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.163 ± 0.026 0.472 ± 0.095 3.418 ± 0.378
Location HMs
Zayandeh–Rood River (Chaharmahal–va–Baghtiari Province) 0.000 19.501 0.000 – – 16.884 5.984

0.948 81.327 3.416 54.128 26.145
0.406 ± 0.120 46.742 ± 6.390 1.119 ± 0.366 32.459 ± 3.686 13.932 ± 1.456
0.409 58.419 0.688 – – 38.026 7.211
2.713 213.458 5.199 312.455 62.148
1.731 ± 0.212 125.250 ± 16.037 2.988 ± 0.447 128.782 ± 20.772 31.794 ± 4.573
Arvand River (Khuzestan Province) 0.16 20.00 N.D – – – 0.70
0.22 39.00 1.60
0.20 ± 0.03 27.50 ± 8.35 1.33 ± 0.43
0.09 14.00 N.D – – – 0.50
0.31 36.00 1.90
0.18 ± 0.09 22.50 ± 9.47 1.20 ± 0.58
123
Table 4 continued
Location HMs
123
0.17 27.00 N.D – – – 0.80
0.34 36.00 1.20
0.26 ± 0.09 30.25 ± 4.27 0.98 ± 0.21
95.36 99.31 – – – – 109.29
Tajan River (Mazandaran Province) 2.650 ± 0.094 0.633 ± 0.029 – – – 5.600 ± 0.240 0.780 ± 0.031
0.963 ± 0.039 1.450 ± 0.044 – – – 7.120 ± 0.306 0.070 ± 0.001
2.149 ± 0.088 2.429 ± 0.095 – – – 2.080 ± 0.076 0.700 ± 0.026
3.320 ± 0.136 0.897 ± 0.041 – – – 58.280 ± 2.380 0.760 ± 0.034
1.470 ± 0.057 0.399 ± 0.018 – – – 4.460 ± 0.173 0.035 ± 0.000
3.300 ± 0.153 0.800 ± 0.037 – – – 9.200 ± 0.404 0.260 ± 0.009
Aras River 0.26 ± 0.16 0.31 ± 0.23 – – – 0.71 ± 0.57 –
Sezar River (Lorestan Province), Station I 3 ± 2.1 16 ± 3 – – – 48 ± 5 –
3.5 ± 2 119 ± 11 – – – 271 ± 14 –
Sezar River (Lorestan Province), Station II 6.1 ± 3 15 ± 2 – – – 43 ± 4 –
5±1 117 ± 10 – – – 264 ± 10 –
Sezar River (Lorestan Province), Station III 2 ± 1.1 14 ± 4 – – – 45 ± 4 –
9.4 ± 4 115 ± 13 – – – 255 ± 17 –
Karoon River (Khuzestan Province) – – – – – 13.08 ± 0.20 –
– – – – – 13.5 ± 0.11 –
– – – – – 14.04 ± 0.08 –
0. 46 ± 0.05 – – – – – –
0.62 ± 0.08 – – – – – –
0.80 ± 0.04 – – – – – –
1.15 ± 0.08 – – – – – –
1.30 ± 0.07 – – – – – –
1.43 ± 0.02 – – – – – –
Gharasou River (Kermanshah Province) – 0.35 – – – – –
0.65
– 0.64 – – – – –
2.7
– 0.55 – – – – –
3.1
Table 4 continued
Location HMs
– 0.45 – – – – –
0.56
– 0.59 – – – – –
2.2
– 0.59 – – – – –
1.2
– 0.52 – – – – –
0.55
– 0.59 – – – – –
1.6
– 0.54 – – – – –
2.3
Karkheh River (Khuzestan Province) – – – – – 12.06 ± 0.68 –
– – – – – 12.86 ± 0.25 –
– – – – – 13.26 ± 0.20 –
Dez River (Khuzestan Province) 0.85 ± 0.05 – – – – – –
0.95 ± 0.06 – – – – – –
1.02 ± 0.05 – – – – – –
0.59 ± 0.01 – – – – – –
0.75 ± 0.01 – – – – – –
0.85 ± 0.03 – – – – – –
0.198 – – – – – –
0.230
0.213 ± 0.013
0.305 – – – – – –
0.321
0.315 ± 0.070
Dez River (Khuzestan Province) – – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
– – – – – – –
Bahmanshir River (Khuzestan Province) – – – – – – –
123
– – – – – – –
Table 4 continued
Location HMs
123
– – – – – – –
0.011 ± 0.008 12.985 ± 1.338 0.295 ± 0.048 – – 10.505 ± 0.987 –
0.378 ± 0.055 17.567 ± 1.121 0.128 ± 0.071 – – 19.857 ± 0.745 –
Location HMs Unit Analytical Ref

method
V Cr Co Mo
Zayandeh–Rood River – 0.000 0.000 0.000 mg/kg CV–AAS (Hg), Fallah, Saei-Dehkordi, et al. (2011),
(Chaharmahal–va–Baghtiari 2.053 0.553 0.447 d.w ICP–OES (other Fallah, Zeynali, et al. (2011))a
Province) metals)
0.630 ± 0.178 0.216 ± 0.062 0.121 ± 0.046
– 0.487 0.000 0.000
5.192 2.340 0.794
3.200 ± 0.503 0.998 ± 0.207 0.417 ± 0.079
Arvand River (Khuzestan Province) 0.28 0.19 0.03 – mg/kg Cold vapor Hg Soltani et al. (2019)
0.40 0.39 0.07 d.w analyzer (Hg),
0.33 ± 0.05 0.24 ± 0.10 0.05 ± 0.02 ICP–MS (other
metals)
0.16 0.12 0.01 –
0.28 0.25 0.10
0.22 ± 0.05 0.17 ± 0.05 0.05 ± 0.04
0.29 0.17 0.11 –
0.80 0.40 0.13
0.44 ± 0.24 0.26 ± 0.10 0.12 ± 0.01
– 97.69 107.14 –
Tajan River (Mazandaran Province) – N.D – – mg/kg AAS Eslami et al. (2011)
w.w
– N.D – –
– N.D – –
– N.D – –
– N.D – –
– N.D – –
Table 4 continued
method
V Cr Co Mo
Aras River – – – – mg/kg ICP–AES (Ni and Nasehi et al. (2013)

d.w Hg),
AAS (other
metals)
Sezar River (Lorestan Province), – – – – mg/kg FAAS Farhadi and Yavari (2013)
Station I d.w
– – – –
Sezar River (Lorestan Province), – – – –
Station II
– – – –
Sezar River (Lorestan Province), – – – –
Station III
– – – –
Karoon River (Khuzestan Province) – – – – mg/kg GFAAS (Cd, Pb Sary and Beheshti (2012)
d.w and Fe),
Hg analyzer
– – – –
– – – –
– – – – mg/kg GFAAS (Cd, Pb Mohammadi et al. (2011)
d.w and Ni),
MHS–FIAS/AAS
(Hg)
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
Gharasou River (Kermanshah – 0.13 – – mg/kg ICP–AES Mansouri et al. (2016)
Province) 0.24 w.w
– 0.19 – –
0.32
– 0.12 – –
0.23
123
Table 4 continued
method
V Cr Co Mo
123
– 0.12 – –
0.18
– 0.23 – –
0.28
– 0.12 – –
0.22
– 0.15 – –
0.22
– 0.22 – –
0.26
– 0.21 – –
0.34
Karkheh River (Khuzestan – – – – mg/kg GFAAS (Cd, Pb Sary and Beheshti (2012)
Province) d.w and Fe),
Hg analyzer
– – – –
– – – –
Dez River (Khuzestan Province) – – – – mg/kg GFAAS (Cd, Pb Mohammadi et al. (2011)
d.w and Ni),
MHS–FIAS/AAS
(Hg)
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – – mg/kg GFAAS Musavi–Nadushan et al. (2014)
w.w
– – – –
Dez River (Khuzestan Province) – – – – mg/kg GFAAS Sary et al. (2012)
d.w
– – – –
– – – –
concentrations of 0.97 and 0.36 mg/kg w.w, respec-
Koshafar and Velayatzadeh (2015)

tively, in Otolithes ruber. The highest concentration of
Ag was found in the skin of Scomberomorus guttatus
(1.67 mg/kg w.w). Another study found mean con-
centrations of 2.71 and 1.65 mg/kg d.w in muscle
tissue of Sphyraena jello, and 1.37 mg/kg d.w of Ag in
muscle tissue from Liza subviridis caught from the
northern part of the Persian Gulf, which are higher
than the WHO standard.
Iron is an essential trace element for living organ-
Ref
isms, playing important roles in biochemical and

physiological functions such as blood cells and
hemoglobin synthesis, in addition to acting as a
cofactor for many enzymes (Abarshi et al., 2017).
Analytical
Generally, Fe does not exhibit toxic health effects,

GFAAS
method
except at very high levels (Yap et al., 2016). Accord-

ing to Table 1, the range of Fe mean concentrations is
from 0.98 in the muscle tissue of Johnius belangerii
mg/kg
w.w
Unit
from the mouth of Arvand River to 899.3 in the liver of

Liza subviridis from the northern part of the Persian
Gulf (Nayband Bay). Fe concentrations in the edible
parts of all species were below the standard limits. The
highest concentration of Fe in muscle tissue
Mo
(87.02 mg/kg d.w) was reported for Otolithes ruber

–
–
–
–
caught from near-shore waters in Khuzestan Province.

0.066 ± 0.009
0.565 ± 0.002
Manganese is one of the essential elements which

are necessary for human health in small amounts; Mn
deficiency can lead to severe skeletal and reproductive
Co
–
–
abnormalities in mammals (Abarshi et al., 2017; Saha

et al., 2016). Nevertheless, excess amounts of Mn can
induce oxidative stress and toxic effects (Abarshi
et al., 2017). Mn concentrations in fishes ranged from
0.03 mg/kg w.w to 5.67 mg/kg d.w (mean) in the
Cr
–
–
–
muscle tissue of Otolithes ruber from Khark Island

0.014 ± 0.006
0.102 ± 0.008
and the liver of Liza subviridis from Ameri Port,

respectively. In studies from the northern part of the
Persian Gulf and Hormozgan Province, Mn values
HMs
slightly higher than the WHO permissible limit were

V
–
–
observed in the muscle tissue of Liza subviridis (4.75

and 5 mg/kg d.w) and the whole body of Pampus
argenteus (4.61 mg/kg d.w).
Bahmanshir River (Khuzestan
Chromium is essential in lipid metabolism and

insulin function (Yuan et al., 2020). Exposure to low
concentrations of Cr can irritate skin and cause ulcers,
Table 4 continued
N.D: Not detected
while chronic exposure can cause kidney and liver

damage. Cr can also damage DNA and circulatory and
Province)
nervous tissues (Pandey & Madhuri, 2014; Yuan et al.,

Location
2020). Cr concentrations in species ranged from

0.00 mg/kg w.w to 22.29 mg/kg d.w (mean) in the
123
Table 5 Concentration of HMs in fish species from other resources

results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Qanats of Birjand (Mehdi Capoeta fusca Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.12 ± 0.02 – –
Abad region)
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.17 ± 0.05 – –
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.26 ± 0.04 – –
Skin Mean ± S.D – 0.09 ± 0.00 – –
Qanats of Birjand (Nokand Capoeta fusca Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.11 ± 0.01 – –
Mood region)
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.21 ± 0.16 – –
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.23 ± 0.05 – –
Skin Mean ± S.D – 0.13 ± 0.03 – –
Qanats of Birjand (Haji Capoeta fusca Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.10 ± 0.01 – –
Abad Mood region)
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.11 ± 0.00 – –
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.26 ± 0.04 – –
Skin Mean ± S.D – 0.10 ± 0.00 – –
Qanats of Birjand Capoeta fusca Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.10 ± 0.01 – –
(Eshkafto region)
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.12 ± 0.00 – –
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.21 ± 0.04 – –
Skin Mean ± S.D – 0.10 ± 0.01 – –
Chahnimeh Reservoirs Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.08 ± 0.1 0.57 ± 0.6 2.1 ± 0.9
(Sistan and Baluchestan
Province)
Skin Mean ± S.D – 0.07 ± 0.1 0.47 ± 0.3 1.2 ± 0.8
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.11 ± 0.1 0.70 ± 0.3 3.7 ± 1.6
Hypophthalmichthys Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.07 ± 0.0 0.58 ± 0.4 2.3 ± 1.1
molitrix
Skin Mean ± S.D – 0.08 ± 0.1 0.27 ± 0.3 0.6 ± 0.3
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.13 ± 0.1 0.45 ± 0.4 2.3 ± 0.8
(%)
Hipophthalmichthys Muscle Mean ± S.D – – 0.29 ± 0.004 41.01 ± 2.23
molitrix
Gill Mean ± S.D – – 0.07 ± 0.008 53.8 ± 2.45
Liver Mean ± S.D – – 0.19 ± 0.01 63.42 ± 3.45
Kidney Mean ± S.D – – 0.11 ± 0.006 44.48 ± 1.95
Scale Mean ± S.D – – 0.17 ± 0.015 23.15 ± 3.60
Recovery – – 98 97
(%)
Hypophthalmichthys Muscle Mean – 0.155 0.230 –
molitrix
Sanandaj Gheshlagh Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.3 ± 0.2 0.5 ± 0.1 9.8 ± 2.1
Reservoir (Kurdistan
Province)
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.4 ± 0.1 0.6 ± 0.3 12.5 ± 5.3
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.5 ± 0.3 0.8 ± 0.2 16.1 ± 8.1
123
Table 5 continued
results
Hg Cd Pb Cu
Skin Mean ± S.D – 0.2 ± 0.1 0.3 ± 0.1 7.5 ± 1.8

Hypophthalmichthys Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.4 ± 0.4 0.7 ± 0.1 12.1 ± 5.4
molitrix
Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.6 ± 0.1 0.9 ± 0.1 17.4 ± 8.1
Gill Mean ± S.D – 0.7 ± 0.1 0.9 ± 0.2 19.5 ± 11.1
Skin Mean ± S.D – 0.3 ± 0.1 0.5 ± 0.1 8.6 ± 2.4
Recovery – 98.7 98 96.7
(%)
Taham Dam (Zanjan Cyprinus carpio Muscle Min 18 3 3 1
Province) Max 34 13 7 7
Mean ± S.D 26 ± 4 8±2 5±1 4±1
Sattarkhan Dam (East Cyprinus carpio Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.31 ± 0.1 – 2.41 ± 1.15
Azarbayjan)
Stizostedion Muscle Mean ± S.D – 0.4 ± 0.09 – 1.54 ± 0.78
lucioperca
Location HMs
Qanats of Birjand (Mehdi Abad region) 0.16 ± 0.06 29.7 ± 3.4 – – – – –

0.28 ± 0.06 38.2 ± 7.6 – – – – –
0.15 ± 0.03 58.3 ± 2.6 – – – – –
0.13 ± 0.03 26.9 ± 4.5 – – – – –
Qanats of Birjand (Nokand Mood region) 0.16 ± 0.00 21.5 ± 0.62 – – – – –
0.14 ± 0.04 24.2 ± 4.7 – – – – –
0.27 ± 0.05 33.1 ± 13.3 – – – – –
0.46 ± 0.37 17.1 ± 1.6 – – – – –
Qanats of Birjand (Haji Abad Mood region) 0.23 ± 0.03 25.7 ± 0.88 – – – – –
0.12 ± 0.01 29.2 ± 2.2 – – – – –
0.13 ± 0.02 45.6 ± 5.5 – – – – –
0.11 ± 0.04 19.3 ± 3.6 – – – – –
Qanats of Birjand (Eshkafto region) 0.18 ± 0.01 21.7 ± 2.5 – – – – –
0.12 ± 0.03 22.2 ± 3.9 – – – – –
0.19 ± 0.02 32.5 ± 1.8 – – – – –
0.08 ± 0.00 16.5 ± 2.6 – – – – –
Chahnimeh Reservoirs (Sistan and Baluchestan 0.2 ± 0.2 18.1 ± 6.4 – – – 30.3 ± 6 –
Province)
0.3 ± 0.1 14.4 ± 1.2 – – – 19.6 ± 7 –
0.8 ± 0.1 20.2 ± 2.4 – – – 31.2 ± 7 –
0.4 ± 0.2 20.1 ± 4.6 – – – 27.7 ± 6 –
0.1 ± 0.1 13.5 ± 4.4 – – – 14.5 ± 7 –
0.4 ± 0.3 22.5 ± 4.3 – – – 24.5 ± 5 –
96 99 – – – 88 –
0.29 ± 0.004 72.20 ± 3.20 – – – – –
0.26 ± 0.(0045) 74.40 ± 3.45 – – – – –
0.24 ± 0.(0043) 73.23 ± 5.40 – – – – –
123
Table 5 continued
Location HMs
0.41 ± 0.003 44.94 ± 2.90 – – – – –

0.27 ± 0.(0051) 45.35 ± 4.60 – – – – –
96 97 – – – – –
0.169 – – – – – –
Sanandaj Gheshlagh Reservoir (Kurdistan 0.3 ± 0.1 19.5 ± 3.4 – – – 24.4 ± 5.4 –
Province)
0.4 ± 0.2 28.3 ± 6.5 – – – 33.2 ± 8.7 –
0.6 ± 0.4 26.6 ± 6.2 – – – 38.7 ± 5.5 –
0.1 ± 0.1 18.2 ± 5.2 – – – 18.8 ± 3.7 –
0.4 ± 0.2 15.4 ± 4.2 – – – 23.3 ± 8.9 –
0.6 ± 0.3 22.7 ± 5.7 – – – 31.3 ± 9.5 –
0.8 ± 0.2 31.9 ± 8.1 – – – 41.6 ± 7.6 –
0.3 ± 0.1 10.6 ± 2.7 – – – 17.7 ± 6.6 –
94.5 96.6 – – – 99.4 –
Taham Dam (Zanjan Province) – 30 11 – – – –
54 23
42 ± 6 17 ± 5
Sattarkhan Dam (East Azarbayjan) – – 29.09 ± 13.8 – – – –
– – 19.76 ± 11.71 – – – –

method
V Cr Co Mo
Qanats of Birjand (Mehdi Abad – 0.23 ± 0.02 0.19 ± 0.03 – mg/kg FAAS Mansouri et al. (2011)
region) w.w
– 0.28 ± 0.1 0.23 ± 0.03 –
– 0.46 ± 0.20 0.38 ± 0.17 –
– 0.15 ± 0.04 0.15 ± 0.08 –
Qanats of Birjand (Nokand Mood – 0.20 ± 0.02 0.22 ± 0.07 –
region)
– 0.29 ± 0.06 0.17 ± 0.08 –
– 0.40 ± 0.11 0.23 ± 0.05 –
– 0.17 ± 0.03 0.10 ± 0.03 –
Qanats of Birjand (Haji Abad Mood – 0.20 ± 0.03 0.20 ± 0.09 –
region)
– 0.29 ± 0.06 0.21 ± 0.06 –
– 0.32 ± 0.02 0.25 ± 0.05 –
– 0.17 ± 0.00 0.12 ± 0.04 –
Qanats of Birjand (Eshkafto region) – 0.18 ± 0.00 0.18 ± 0.03 –
– 0.29 ± 0.07 0.21 ± 0.03 –
– 0.38 ± 0.07 0.27 ± 0.06 –
– 0.15 ± 0.04 0.08 ± 0.03 –
Chahnimeh Reservoirs (Sistan and – 0.4 ± 0.2 0.4 ± 0.4 – mg/kg AAS Ariyaee et al. (2015)
Baluchestan Province) w.w
– 0.2 ± 0.2 0.4 ± 0.1 –
123
Table 5 continued
method
V Cr Co Mo
– 0.3 ± 0.2 0.7 ± 0.1 –

– 0.4 ± 0.2 0.4 ± 0.2 –
– 0.1 ± 0.1 0.1 ± 0.1 –
– 0.5 ± 0.3 0.5 ± 0.3 –
– 94 93 –
– – – – mg/kg AAS Pakzad (2013)
d.w
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– – – –
– 0.168 – – mg/kg AAS Miri et al. (2017)
d.w
Sanandaj Gheshlagh Reservoir – 0.3 ± 0.1 – – mg/kg AAS Maleki et al. (2015)
(Kurdistan Province) w.w
– 0.6 ± 0.2 – –
– 0.4 ± 0.2 – –
– 0.2 ± 0.1 – –
– 0.4 ± 0.1 – –
– 0.7 ± 0.2 – –
– 0.6 ± 0.1 – –
– 0.3 ± 0.1 – –
– 97.4 – –
Taham Dam (Zanjan Province) – – – – lg/kg Mercury Sobhanardakani and
w.w analyzer (Hg), Jafari (2014)
ICP–OES (other
metlas)
Sattarkhan Dam (East Azarbayjan) – – – – mg/kg ICP–OES Reshqueih et al.
d.w (2014)
– – – –
liver of Otolithes ruber from the northern part and the concentration (1.02 mg/kg d.w) was lower than the
liver of Liza subviridis from Nayband Bay, respec- WHO limit and almost equal to the FAO permissible
tively. In a study conducted in the northern part of the limit (1 mg/kg d.w).
Persian Gulf, mean concentrations higher than all Cobalt is an essential trace element needed for
standard limits were observed in the muscle tissue of biological and physiological functions in humans and
Sphyraena jello (3.06–7.92 mg/kg d.w) and Liza other organisms. Excess amounts of Co in the human
subviridis (4.54–8 mg/kg d.w). In another study, a body can cause several health problems such as
maximum Cr concentration of 1.43 mg/kg d.w was hypothyroidism, overproduction of erythrocytes, pul-
found in the muscle tissue of Otolithes ruber from monary fibrosis, and asthma (Al-Fartusie & Mohssan,
Mahshahr Port, which is slightly higher than the WHO 2017). Co values ranged from \ LOD to 23.26 mg/kg
permissible limit (1.3 mg/kg w.w), while its mean d.w (mean) in the liver of Euryglossa orientalis
123
Table 6 Permissible upper limits of HMs for fish according to various standards
Standards HMs Unit Ref
Hg Cd Pb Cu Ni Zn As Ag Fe Mn Cr Co
WHO 0.5 1 0.5 10 10 50 1 0.1 150 4 1.3 mg/kg WHO (1996)

w.w
FAO 0.5 0.5 2 30 55 30 1 180 1 0.5 mg/kg Nauen (1983)
w.w
FDA 1 4 1.7 70 1.7 mg/kg FDA (2001)
d.w
EC 0.5 0.05 0.2 mg/kg EC (2005)
w.w
New 0.5 1 2 30 40 1 mg/kg Nauen (1983)
Zealand w.w
U.K 0.5 0.2 2 20 50 mg/kg MAAF (1998)
w.w
Turkey 0.5 0.05 0.3 20 50 mg/kg Pazi et al. (2017); Solgi and
w.w Beigzadeh–Shahraki (2019)
China 0.1 0.5 0.5 2 mg/kg Ju et al. (2017)
w.w
Hong Kong 0.5 2 6 2.3 1 mg/kg Ju et al. (2017)
w.w
Poland 2 30 50 4 mg/kg Nauen (1983)
w.w
Sweden 1 1 mg/kg Nauen (1983)
w.w
Switzerland 0.5 0.1 1 mg/kg Nauen (1983)
w.w
Thailand 0.5 1 20 2 mg/kg Nauen (1983)
w.w
collected at the mouth of Arvand River. The highest respiratory systems (Authman et al., 2015). Mo is an
mean concentrations of Co in edible parts were found essential trace element needed in enzymatic systems.
in the muscle tissue of Euryglossa orientalis (3.21 mg/ It is found in trace amounts in the environment and
kg d.w) and Otolithes ruber (1.94 mg/kg d.w) from the food. Diet and drinking water are the main pathways
mouth of Arvand River and northwestern coastal of Mo accumulation in the human body (Burzlaff
waters of the Persian Gulf, respectively, which are et al., 2017; Hays et al., 2016). However, excess Mo
above the 1.7 mg/kg d.w acceptable limit recom- can be harmful. No information is available regarding
mended by the FDA. permissible limits of Al, V, and Mo in fish. Neverthe-
Aluminum is a nonessential trace element and is the less, the maximum concentrations of Al and Mo were
most toxic element to living organisms. Al does not observed in the liver of Liza subviridis (99.01 mg/kg
have any biological functions, and excess amounts of d.w) and Sphyraena jello (2.01 mg/kg d.w), respec-
Al might cause breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, tively, from the northern part of the Persian Gulf. The
Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis highest mean concentration of V was also observed in
(Dorea & Clarke, 2008; Velmurugan et al., 2015). V is the gills of Johnius belangerii (19.33 mg/kg w.w)
an essential trace element; however, it could be toxic from Khark Island.
in high concentrations. The possible hazardous effects The results of two studies conducted in the Harra
of V include oxidative damage, lipid peroxidation and Biosphere Reserve report the following figures for
changes in hematological, reproductive and concentrations of HMs (in mg/kg w.w) in different
123
species: Hg ranges from \ LOD in the kidney of niger (1.05), Pomadasys kaakan (3.30), Sphyraena
Sillago sihama and Liza klunzingeri to 4.66 in the liver forsteri (2.12), Euthynnus affinis (1.44), and
of Platycephalus indicus, Cd ranges from 0.05 in the Scomberomorus commerson (1.48). Moreover, a mean
muscle tissue of Liza klunzingeri to 1.08 in the liver of Pb concentration higher than all permissible levels
Sillago sihama, Pb ranges from 0.25 in the muscle was reported in the muscle tissue of Euthynnus affinis.
tissue of Liza klunzingeri to 1.17 in the liver of Sillago
sihama, Cu ranges from \ LOD in the kidney of The Caspian Sea
Sillago sihama and Liza klunzingeri to 16.7 in the liver
of Platycephalus indicus, Ni ranges from 1.35 in the The Caspian Sea, with a surface area of about
muscle tissue of Liza klunzingeri to 3.22 in the liver of 370,000 km2, is the largest enclosed sea in the world.
Sillago sihama, Zn ranges from \ LOD in the kidney It is located between Asia and Europe and is
of Sillago sihama and Liza klunzingeri to 41.03 in the surrounded by Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan,
kidney of Platycephalus indicus, As ranges from \ and Turkmenistan (Lattuada et al., 2019). The Caspian
LOD in the kidney of Sillago sihama and Liza Sea and its coastal zones have globally important
klunzingeri to 6.8 in the liver of Platycephalus indicus, biodiversity value on account of their unique biodi-
and Cr ranges from 0.38 in the muscle tissue of Liza versity (Mirzajani et al., 2016a). The diversity of
klunzingeri to 1.62 in the liver of Sillago sihama. conditions in this ecosystem, such as the presence of
Moreover, the mean concentration of Hg in Sillago shallow sites, deep seabed depressions, and a wide
sihama (0.69 mg/kg w.w) and Platycephalus indicus variety of salinity gradients, provide different ecolog-
(0.81 mg/kg w.w) were greater than the WHO, FAO, ical niches, leading to increased species diversity
EC, U.K, New Zealand, Turkey, Hong Kong, Switzer- (Bastami et al., 2017). Nevertheless, the Caspian Sea
land, and Thailand standard limits, and mean Pb has been affected by human activities over the past
concentration in Sillago sihama (0.71 mg/kg w.w) decades and the overall health of this important
was greater than the WHO, EC, Turkey, and China ecosystem has deteriorated, resulting in many endemic
standard limits. species becoming regionally or globally extinct (Lat-
The ranges of average concentrations of HMs in tuada et al., 2019). In the present study, bioaccumu-
fish species from the Oman Sea were as follows: Hg: lation of HMs in 17 fish species in the three provinces
0.12–0.39 mg/kg w.w in the muscle tissue of bordering the Caspian Sea (i.e., Guilan, Mazandaran,
Scomberomorus guttatus and Euthynnus affinis, and Golestan) was investigated (Table 2).
respectively; As: 0.74–3.30 mg/kg w.w in the muscle In the Caspian Sea, Hg values ranged from
tissue of Scomberomorus guttatus and Pomadasys 0.044 mg/kg d.w (mean) in the whole body of
kaakan, respectively; Cd: 9.39–20.8 mg/kg d.w in the Cyprinus carpio to 3.5 mg/kg d.w in the muscle tissue
muscle tissue and liver of Otolithes ruber, respec- of Huso huso. The highest concentrations of Hg were
tively; Pb: 0.67–22.2 mg/kg d.w in the muscle tissue reported in a study in Mazandaran and Torkman
of Thunnus albacores and the liver of Otolithes ruber, regions, where maximum and mean concentrations of
respectively; Cu: 1.44–60.92 mg/kg d.w in the tail fin Hg (3.5 and 1.4 mg/kg d.w, respectively) were
of Thunnus albacores and the liver of Euthynnus reported in the muscle tissue of Huso huso, higher
affinis, respectively; Zn: 4.19–515.5 mg/kg d.w in the than the FDA permissible limit. In this study, Hg
tail fin of Thunnus albacores and the liver of concentrations in muscle tissue of Acipenser nudiven-
Euthynnus affinis, respectively. In a study conducted tris (1.9 mg/kg d.w), Acipenser persicus (1.6 mg/kg
in the Iranian part of the Oman Sea, bioaccumulation d.w), and Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (1.2 mg/kg d.w)
of Pb, As, Cd, Ni, and Cr was investigated in the were also higher than the FDA permissible limit.
muscle tissue and liver of Otolithes ruber. Based on Cadmium levels in fish species ranged from \
the results of this study, concentrations of all HMs in LOD to 10.37 mg/kg d.w. The highest Cd concen-
muscle tissue were more than the permissible limits. In tration was reported in the kidney of Acipenser
another study, mean concentrations of As (in mg/kg persicus with maximum and mean concentrations of
w.w) were higher than the WHO, FAO, New Zealand, 10.37 and 3.35 mg/kg d.w, respectively (mean con-
China, Hong Kong, Poland, and Thailand permissible centration of Guilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan
limits in muscle tissue samples from Parastromateus Provinces). Cd concentrations ranging from 0.06 to
123
0.26 mg/kg w.w were observed in the edible parts of concentration of Zn was reported from the heart of
Cyprinus carpio, Sander lucioperca, Liza auratus, Huso huso sampled along the Caspian Sea (Guilan,
Liza saliens, Alosa caspia, and Rutilus frisii kutum Mazandaran, and Golestan Provinces) with maximum
from Golestan Province, which are higher than the and average concentrations of 219.22 and 182.26 mg/
permissible limits recommended by the EC, Turkey, kg d.w, respectively. The muscle tissue of Clupeonella
U.K, China, and Switzerland standards. delicatula had a mean Zn concentration of 57.5 mg/kg
Lead concentrations ranged from \ LOD to d.w, which is greater than the WHO, FAO, U.K, New
26.25 mg/kg d.w. For Pb, the highest concentration Zealand, Turkey, and Poland standard limits.
was observed in the liver of Acipenser persicus Although the mean concentrations of Zn in the muscle
sampled along the Caspian Sea (Guilan, Mazandaran, of all studied species were below the permissible
and Golestan Provinces) with maximum and average limits, maximum concentrations higher than standards
concentrations of 26.25 and 18.52 mg/kg d.w, respec- were observed in Huso huso, Acipenser stellatus,
tively. In the same regions, Pb concentrations in the Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, and
muscle tissue of Acipenser persicus (2.97 mg/kg d.w), Acipenser persicus.
Acipenser stellatus (2.18 mg/kg d.w), and Huso huso Iron values in fish species caught from the Caspian
(1.69 mg/kg d.w) were higher than the FDA permis- Sea ranged from 2.1 mg/kg d.w to 1343.5 mg/kg w.w.
sible limit. Also, mean concentrations of Pb in the The highest concentration of Fe was reported in the
muscle of Liza saliens (4.55 mg/kg w.w) from muscle tissue of Alosa caspia from Gorgan Bay, with a
Mazandaran Province and Liza auratus (8.6 mg/kg mean concentration of 1181.25 mg/kg w.w
w.w) from Gorgan Bay in Golestan Province were (974–1343.5 mg/kg w.w), which is almost seven
higher than all recommended standard limits (except times the FAO standard and nine times the WHO
the Hong Kong standard for Liza saliens). Mean standard. In the same region, the average Fe concen-
concentrations of Pb in muscle tissue of Liza saliens trations reported for the muscle tissue of Cyprinus
(1.7 mg/kg w.w), Sander lucioperca (0.53 mg/kg carpio (501.65 mg/kg w.w), Sander lucioperca
w.w), Cyprinus carpio (0.43 mg/kg w.w), and Alosa (455.6 mg/kg w.w), Liza auratus (914.6 mg/kg
caspia (0.34 mg/kg w.w) were also higher than some w.w), and Liza saliens (380.65 mg/kg w.w) were also
standard limits. higher than the FAO and WHO standard limits. In the
The concentrations of Cu ranged from 0.00 to Anzali region, maximum concentrations of 548.1 mg/
160.39 mg/kg d.w (mean). Samples from the liver of kg d.w (for the whole body of Rutilus frisii kutum) and
Liza aurata and Liza saliens from Mazandaran 178 mg/kg d.w (for the whole body of and Alburnus
Province had the highest concentrations of Cu with chalcoides) were also reported for Fe, along with a
mean concentrations of 160.3 mg/kg d.w and mean concentration of 217 mg/kg d.w for the whole
155.7 mg/kg w.w, respectively. Mean Cu concentra- body of Liza aurata.
tion in the red muscle tissue of Liza saliens (12.90 mg/ Manganese concentrations ranged from 0.01 mg/
kg w.w) from Mazandaran Province was higher than kg d.w to 15.7 mg/kg d.w in the whole body of Sander
the WHO standard limit. lucioperca and Rutilus frisii kutum, respectively. Mn
The lowest and highest mean concentrations of Ni concentrations higher than the WHO permissible limit
were found in Rutilus frisii kutum in the range of 0.096 have been reported from Anzali region in the whole
to 8.1 mg/kg d.w. Ni concentrations in edible parts did body of Rutilus frisii kutum, Alburnus chalcoides, and
not exceed the permissible limits for any species. Liza aurata with maximum concentrations of 15.7,
Nonetheless, the highest mean concentrations were 14.3, and 12.7 mg/kg d.w, respectively, while the
found in the whole body of Rutilus frisii kutum mean concentrations for the same species were lower
(8.1 mg/kg d.w) from the Anzali region in Guilan than the standard limit.
Province and red muscle tissue of Liza saliens Chromium values ranged from \ LOD to
(4.80 mg/kg w.w) from Mazandaran Province, which 10.01 mg/kg w.w in the muscle tissue of Alosa caspia
are both much lower than permissible limits. from Gorgan Bay. Cr concentration in muscle tissue of
Zinc contents ranged from 1.72 mg/kg w.w (mean) Cyprinus carpio, Sander lucioperca, and Alosa caspia
in the gill of Liza saliens to 219.22 mg/kg d.w (mean: from Gorgan Bay were above the FAO, WHO, Hong
182.26) in the heart of Huso huso. The highest Kong, and China permissible limits with mean
123
concentrations of 6.4, 5.56, and 9.15 mg/kg w.w, Shadegan Wetland, Iran’s largest wetland, is
respectively. Cr concentration in the muscle tissue of located in the southwest of Iran and discharges into
Liza auratus and Liza saliens from Gorgan Bay, whole the Persian Gulf (Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi et al.,
body of Sander lucioperca and Rutilus frisii kutum 2010). This international wetland (Ramsar Conven-
from Anazali region, and muscle tissue of Rutilus frisii tion, 1975) is one of the most important aquatic
kutum, Rutilus rutilus caspicus and Clupeonella ecosystems regionally and globally, providing essen-
delicatula from along the Caspian Sea were also tial ecological services such as protecting biodiversity
slightly above the permissible values recommended (Alhashemi, Karbassi, et al., 2012). In addition to the
by the FAO, WHO, and Hong Kong. presence of oil industry facilities (such as petroleum
Cobalt concentrations in fish samples ranged refineries and petrochemical complexes) along the
from \ LOD to 1.34 mg/kg d.w (mean). In a study wetland, agricultural runoff, use of fertilizers, pesti-
from the Anzali region, the highest mean concentra- cides and herbicides, and industrial waste are the main
tion of Co was 1.34 mg/kg d.w in the whole body of sources of pollution (Alhashemi, Sekhavatjou, et al.,
Liza aurata, which is below the permissible value of 2012; Taravati et al., 2012). Bioaccumulation of ten
1.7 mg/kg d.w, recommended by the FDA. HMs (Ni, Hg, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Cu, V, and Co) has
Arsenic and silver concentrations were very low in been measured in tissues of six fish species from
tissues of all species. As and Ag concentrations were, Shadegan Wetland (Barbus sharpeyi, Barbus luteus,
respectively, in the ranges of \ 0.0018 mg/kg d.w Barbus grypus, Cyprinus carpio, Silurius trisostegus,
(mean) in the whole body of Cyprinus carpio and and Liza abu).
Rutilus frisii kutum from the South-western part to The ranges of HM concentrations (in mg/kg d.w) in
0.017 mg/kg d.w in the caviar of Acipenser persicus fish species caught from the Shadegan International
from Golestan Province and \ 0.001 to 0.055 mg/kg Wetland were as follows: for Hg (mean) between
d.w in the muscle tissue of Acipenser persicus from 0.042 and 0.065 in the muscle tissue and gills of
Mazandaran and Torkman. Al values in fish species Barbus sharpeyi, respectively; for Cd between 0.001
sampled along the Caspian Sea ranged from 0.89 to in organs of various species and 2.14 in the gills of
2.46 mg/kg w.w in the whole body of Liza aurata and Cyprinus carpio; for Pb between 0.50 (mean) in the
Cyprinus carpio, respectively. The highest concentra- muscle tissue of Barbus sharpeyi and 41.12 in the
tions of V and Mo were observed in the muscle tissues gonad of Barbus grypus; for Cu between 0.77 and
of Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (\ 0.001–0.107 mg/kg 74.08 in the muscle tissue of Silurius trisostegus and
d.w) and Rutilus rutilus caspicus (\ 0.001–0.137 mg/ the gonad of Barbus grypus, respectively; for Ni
kg d.w), respectively. between 0.35 and 43.10 in the muscle tissue of Barbus
sharpeyi and the liver of Barbus grypus, respectively;
Wetlands for Zn between 7.92 and 1142.79 in the muscle tissue
and gills of Cyprinus carpio, respectively; for Mn
Wetlands are exceptionally important natural ecosys- between 0.49 and 33.85 in the muscle tissue of Barbus
tems with high biodiversity, providing different eco- grypus and the whole body of Liza abu, respectively;
logical and ecosystem services such as habitat for for V between 0.11 and 17.32 in the muscle tissue of
species, drinking water, water purification, ground- Silurius trisostegus and Cyprinus carpio, respectively;
water replenishment, and acting as buffer zones, in for Cr between 0.01 and 9.52 in the liver of Barbus
addition to providing various services to human luteus and the gills of Cyprinus carpio, respectively;
societies through contributions to agriculture, fishing, for Co between 0.14 and 5.31 in the gonad and muscle
and tourism (Agboola et al., 2016; Quintela et al., tissue of Cyprinus carpio, respectively. According to
2019; Su et al., 2019). Contamination of wetlands by the findings, mean concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Ni in
HMs is considered one of the critical concerns in tissues of all species are below the FDA permissible
wetland protection. Monitoring of HMs by bio-indi- limits. The highest mean concentrations of Hg, Cd and
cators offers deep insights into the health of wetland Ni were, respectively, 0.065 mg/kg d.w in the gills of
ecosystems. In this review, data from seven wetlands Barbus sharpeyi, 0.71 mg/kg d.w in the gonad of
are reported and evaluated (Table 3). Barbus grypus, and 22.74 mg/kg d.w in the liver of
Barbus grypus. In contrast, mean concentrations of Pb
123
in the edible parts of all species (except Silurius Pb were found in the liver of Esox lucius (1.96 and
trisostegus) were above the FDA permissible limit 5.4 mg/kg d.w, respectively). The highest mean
with concentrations ranging between 2.09 and concentration of Zn (54.26 mg/kg d.w) was observed
12.87 mg/kg d.w. Co concentration in the muscle in the muscle tissue of Esox lucius, which is higher
tissue of Barbus grypus (with a mean concentration of than all permissible limits. Mean concentrations of Cu
2.12 mg/kg d.w) was higher than the FDA permissible and Cr in the edible parts of all species were less than
limit. The highest mean concentration of Zn was or equal to permissible limits. For Cu, the highest
observed in the gill of Cyprinus carpio (610.9 mg/kg mean concentration was reported in the liver of
d.w). Also, mean concentrations of Zn in the muscle of Carassius gibelio (25.60 mg/kg d.w), and the highest
Barbus luteus (45.51 mg/kg d.w) and Barbus sharpeyi mean concentration of Cr was found in the liver of
(45.43) were higher than the FAO and New Zealand Esox lucius (4.4 mg/kg d.w).
standard limits. The highest mean concentration of Mn Miankaleh International Wetland is an important
was found in the whole body of Liza abu (24.8 mg/kg ecosystem in in the southeast of the Caspian Sea, with
d.w), and a mean Mn concentration of 4.17 mg/kg d.w an especially important role as a waterfowl reserve.
was observed in the muscle tissue of Barbus luteus, This wetland was designated as a wetland of interna-
which is slightly higher than the WHO permissible tional importance in the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar,
limit. Mean concentrations of Cu and Cr in the edible Iran, 1975). The environmental quality of this aquatic
parts of the species were less than permissible limits; ecosystem is strongly influenced by the conditions of
the highest mean Cu concentration was observed in the the Caspian Sea. In recent decades, HM pollution has
liver of Barbus sharpeyi (30.57 mg/kg d.w) and the significantly increased in the southeastern part of the
highest mean Cr concentration was reported for the Caspian Sea. Oil extraction, transportation, urban
whole body of Liza abu (2.60 mg/kg d.w). The highest effluent, industrial and agricultural wastes, and the
mean concentration of V was observed in the liver of activity of fisheries are recognized as the main sources
Barbus grypus (12.94 mg/kg d.w). of HM contamination in this region (Saghali et al.,
Anzali International Wetland (Ramsar Convention, 2014; Sinkakarimi et al., 2018). Three studies have
1975) is located in Iran’s Guilan Province, in the investigated the bioaccumulation of eight HMs (Cd,
southwest of the Caspian Sea (Jamshidi & Bastami, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Fe, and Cr) in tissues of three
2016). The contamination of Anzali International species from this wetland (Rutilus rutilus caspicus,
Wetland by different pollutants such as HMs has been Neogobius gorlap, and Rutilus frisii kutum). The
recognized in various studies. Agriculture, aquacul- ranges of HM concentrations (in mg/kg w.w) in fish
ture, tourism, and effluent from manufacturing com- species sampled in Miankaleh International Wetland
plexes, and industrial activities in the cities were as follows: for Cd from 0.18 to 2.11 in the gills of
surrounding the wetland are considered the main Rutilus rutilus caspicus and the liver of Neogobius
reasons for pollution in this valuable ecosystem gorlap, respectively; for Pb from 0.24 to 3.38 (mean)
(Bastami et al., 2018; Jamshidi & Bastami, 2016; in the muscle tissue of Rutilus rutilus caspicus and the
Salamat et al., 2016). Four studies investigated the skin of Rutilus frisii kutum, respectively; for Cu from
bioaccumulation of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cr in four fish 0.95 to 4.54 (mean) in the muscle tissue of Rutilus
species (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Perca fluviatilis, rutilus caspicus and Rutilus frisii kutum, respectively;
Carassius gibelio, and Esox lucius) collected from for Ni from 0.10 to 2.21 in the muscle tissue of Rutilus
Anzali International Wetland. The minimum and rutilus caspicus and the liver of Neogobius gorlap,
maximum concentrations of HMs were found in the respectively; for Zn from 4.97 to 40.55 (mean) in the
kidney of Perca fluviatilis and the liver of Esox lucius, muscle tissue of Rutilus rutilus caspicus and the skin
respectively. The ranges of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr of Rutilus frisii kutum, respectively; for As from 0.09
concentrations (in mg/kg d.w) were \ LOD to to 0.81 in the muscle tissue of Rutilus rutilus caspicus;
2.6, \ LOD to 6.7, \ LOD to 34.1, \ LOD to 68.7, for Fe from 11.06 to 47.08 in the muscle tissue of
and \ LOD to 6.3, respectively. Pb and Cd concen- Rutilus rutilus caspicus; for Cr from 0.01 to 1.15 in the
trations in muscle tissue of all species were below the muscle tissue of Rutilus rutilus caspicus and the liver
permissible value of 4 mg/kg d.w, recommended by of Neogobius gorlap, respectively. The concentrations
the FDA. The highest mean concentrations of Cd and of Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Fe, and Cr were lower than
123
permissible limits. Mean Cd concentrations in Rutilus d.w, which is slightly higher than the FAO and Hong
rutilus caspicus (0.26 mg/kg w.w), Neogobius gorlap Kong standard limits.
(0.35 mg/kg w.w), and Rutilus frisii kutum (0.39 mg/ Alagol is a saline wetland in the northeast of Iran
kg w.w) were higher than the EC, Turkey, China, (Golestan Province). Agriculture is the main source of
Switzerland, and U.K standard limits. Also, mean Pb HM pollution in this wetland (Zafarzadeh et al., 2018).
concentrations in Rutilus rutilus caspicus (0.67 mg/kg In a study in Alagol Wetland, bioaccumulation of HMs
w.w), Neogobius gorlap (0.91 mg/kg w.w), and (Zn Cd, Cu, and Pb) in the muscle tissue of Cyprinus
Rutilus frisii kutum (2.08 mg/kg w.w) were higher carpio was evaluated. The minimum and maximum
than the WHO, EC, Turkey, China, Sweden, Switzer- concentrations of HMs (in mg/kg d.w) were in the
land, and Thailand limits, and very slightly higher than ranges of \ LOD to 0.14 for Cd, \ LOD to 21.86 for
the FAO, New Zealand, U.K, and Poland standard Pb, 1.22 to 39.43 for Cu, and 1.15 to 477.003 for Zn.
limits. The highest mean concentrations for different Mean concentrations of Pb and Zn were 5.84 and
HMs were as follows: Cd, Ni, and Cr in the liver of 120.90 mg/kg d.w, respectively; higher than the FDA
Neogobius gorlap (1.20, 1.14, and 0.70 mg/kg w.w, permissible limit for Pb, and all permissible limits for
respectively), As and Fe in the muscle tissue of Rutilus Zn. Maximum Cu concentration (39.43 mg/kg d.w) in
rutilus caspicus (0.31 and 28 mg/kg w.w, respec- the muscle of Cyprinus carpio was also higher than
tively), Pb and Zn in the skin of Rutilus frisii kutum standard limits, while mean concentration of Cu was
(3.38 and 40.55 mg/kg w.w, respectively), and Cu in lower than standard limits. Cd concentration did not
the muscle tissue of Rutilus frisii kutum (4.54 mg/kg exceed the FDA standard limit.
w.w). Gomishan is another wetland in Golestan Province.
Al Hawizah Wetland is one of the largest freshwa- This wetland has been designated as a wetland of
ter ecosystems in the region and straddles the Iran-Iraq international importance by the Ramsar Convention.
border. Considering the extensive activity of the oil Population growth and anthropogenic sources such as
industry in both the Iranian and Iraqi parts of the agricultural activities, use of chemical herbicides and
wetland, the environmental quality of this ecosystem fertilizers, and industrial effluent are the main sources
has been endangered over the last decades. Agricul- of pollution in the wetland (Aazami & KianiMehr,
tural activities and urban areas around the wetland are 2018; Saravi et al., 2012). Concentrations of Pb, Cd,
the other sources of pollution in this ecosystem and Cr in the muscle tissue of four species (Cyprinus
(Janadeleh & Kameli, 2017; Janadeleh et al., 2018). carpio, Mugila auratus, Rutilus frisii kutum, and Liza
Only one study has been conducted to investigate the saliens) were lower than the corresponding permissi-
bioaccumulation of HMs (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Ni) ble limits in all three studies conducted in the wetland.
in three fish species from this wetland (Liza abu, Nevertheless, the ranges of HM concentrations (in lg/
Barbus grybus, and Cyprinus carpio). Data on bioac- kg w.w) in muscle tissue of species were as follows:
cumulation of HMs in fish species collected from the for Cd from 26.09 (mean) in Mugila auratus to 245 in
Al Hawizah Wetland show mean concentrations (in Liza saliens; for Pb from 0.75 in Liza saliens to 147.48
mg/kg d.w) ranging between 0.15 in the muscle tissue (mean) in Rutilus frisii kutum; for Cr from 34.57
of Liza abu and 0.92 in the liver of Barbus grybus for (mean) in Cyprinus carpio to 124.04 in Mugila
Cd, 1.87 in the muscle tissue of Barbus grybus and auratus.
18.42 in the liver of Barbus grybus for Cu, 1.24 in the Zarivar Wetland is located in western Iran, Kur-
muscle tissue of Liza abu and 4.62 in the gills and liver distan Province. This wetland is the primary source of
of Cyprinus carpio for Ni, 12.21 in the muscle tissue of water for the city of Marivan. The wastewater
Liza abu and 46.52 in the gills of Cyprinus carpio for discharged from Marivan and rural areas around the
Zn, 75.62 in the muscle tissue of Liza abu and 273.25 wetland, improper waste management, anthropogenic
in the gills of Cyprinus carpio for Fe, and 0.32 in the sources such as fertilizers and pesticides, tourism, and
muscle tissue of Cyprinus carpio and 10.62 in the liver boating are the main sources of HM pollution in
of Barbus grybus for Cr. For all species, concentra- Zarivar Wetland (Majnoni et al., 2013; Solgi &
tions of most HMs were lower than permissible limits, Galangashi, 2018). Two studies have investigated
except for Cr with a mean concentration of 1.12 mg/kg the bioaccumulation of HMs (Ag, Hg, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd,
Zn, Ag, Fe, Mn, and Cu) in tissues of
123
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Cyprinus carpio. (46.74 mg/kg d.w) was higher than the FAO and New
The ranges of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Ni concentrations Zealand standards. The mean concentration of As in
were, respectively: 0.2 mg/kg d.w in the gills and scale muscle tissue (1.12 mg/kg d.w) was higher than the
of cyprinus carpio to 2.2 mg/kg d.w in the gills of WHO, FAO, New Zealand, and China standards, and
hypophthalmichthys molitrix, 0.01 mg/kg d.w in the the mean concentration of Mn in muscle tissue
scale and muscle tissue of cyprinus carpio to 2.53 mg/ (13.93 mg/kg d.w) was higher than the WHO stan-
kg w.w (mean) in the liver of cyprinus carpio, dards. Also, maximum concentrations higher than
0.41 mg/kg w.w (mean) in the muscle tissue of standard limits were observed for Hg (1.95 mg/kg
cyprinus carpio to 2.6 mg/kg d.w in the gills of d.w), Pb (3.19 mg/kg d.w), Cu (17.21 mg/kg d.w), and
cyprinus carpio, 1.1 mg/kg d.w in the scale of Cr (2.05 mg/kg d.w), despite their mean concentra-
hypophthalmichthys molitrix to 4.68 mg/kg w.w tions being below the standard limits. For all HMs, the
(mean) in the liver of cyprinus carpio, and 0.03 mg/ highest concentration was recorded for the liver.
kg d.w in the scale of hypophthalmichthys molitrix to In the Arvand River, bioaccumulation of HMs was
0.8 mg/kg d.w in the muscle tissue of cyprinus carpio. investigated in muscle tissue of Liza abu, Leuciscus
Also, the lowest and highest mean concentrations (in vorax, and Coptodon zillii. The concentration ranges
mg/kg w.w) of Zn, Ag, Fe, Mn, and Cr were, of HMs (in mg/kg d.w) in muscle tissue of fish species
respectively, in the muscle tissue and liver of cyprinus from the Arvand River were as follows: for Hg from
carpio in the ranges of 3.65 to 15.16 for Zn, 0.61 to 0.19 to 1.10 in Coptodon zillii and Leuciscus vorax,
2.45 for Ag, 1.46 to 15.98 for Fe, 2.32 to 4.08 for Mn, respectively; for Pb from 0.90 to 4.00 in Liza abu and
and 0.97 to 2.85 for Cr. Results indicated that the Coptodon zillii, respectively; for Cu from 0.50 to 3.10
concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cr, and Mn were in Leuciscus vorax; for Ni from 0.09 to 0.34 in
below the permissible limits. Mean concentrations of Leuciscus vorax and Coptodon zillii, respectively; for
Hg, Cd, Pb, and Ag in the muscle tissue of Cyprinus Zn from 14.00 to 39.00 in Leuciscus vorax and Liza
carpio were 1.1 mg/kg d.w, 0.33, 0.41, and 0.61 mg/ abu, respectively; for Mn from 0.50 to 1.90 in
kg w.w, respectively, which are all higher than the Leuciscus vorax; for V from 0.16 to 0.80 in Leuciscus
corresponding permissible limits. vorax and Coptodon zillii, respectively; for Cr from
0.12 to 0.40 in Leuciscus vorax and Coptodon zillii,
Rivers respectively; for Co from 0.01 to 0.13 in Leuciscus
vorax and Coptodon zillii, respectively. Mean con-
Rivers, as dynamic systems, have important roles in centration of Pb in Coptodon zillii (2.03 mg/kg d.w)
ecological processes and human life. Rivers are was higher than the FDA permissible limit and mean
valuable freshwater resources that supply water for concentration of Zn in Coptodon zillii (30.25 mg/kg
drinking, agriculture, and different industries (Colin d.w) was slightly higher than the FAO permissible
et al., 2016; Solgi et al., 2018). Rivers are also widely limit. Moreover, although their mean concentrations
used as sources of food for humans. In this work, were below the permissible limits, the maximum
studies conducted in ten rivers were evaluated concentration of Hg in Leuciscus vorax (1.10 mg/kg
(Table 4). d.w) was slightly higher than the FDA standard, and
In the Zayandeh-Rood River, the minimum and those of Zn in Liza abu (39.00 mg/kg d.w) and
maximum concentrations of HMs (in mg/kg d.w) were Leuciscus vorax (36.00 mg/kg d.w) were higher than
found in the muscle tissue and liver of Oncorhynchus the FAO permissible limit. Furthermore, concentra-
mykiss, respectively. HMs concentrations were in the tions of Cu, Ni, Mn, Cr, and Co were below the
ranges of 0.000–2.148 for Hg, 0.000–7.231 for Cd, standard limits in all species.
0.000–7.136 for Pb, 0.717–70.105 for Cu, The mean concentration ranges of HMs (in mg/kg
0.000–2.713 for Ni, 19.501–213.458 for Zn, w.w) in Rutilus frisii kutum from the Tajan River were
0.000–5.199 for As, 16.884–312.455 for Fe, as follows: for Cd from 0.090 in liver to 2.373 in gill;
5.984–62.148 for Mn, 0.000–5.192 for Cr, for Pb from 1.020 in liver to 3.450 in brain; for Cu
0.000–2.340 for Co, and 0.000–0.794 for Mo. In a from 0.140 in gill to 2.940 in brain; for Ni from 0.963
study in the Zayandeh-Rood River on Oncorhynchus in liver to 3.300 in brain; for Zn from 0.399 in bile to
mykiss, mean concentration of Zn in muscle tissue 2.429 in gill; for Fe from 2.080 in gill to 58.280 in
123
heart; for Mn from 0.035 in bile to 0.780 in muscle muscle tissue and gills of Barbus grypus, respectively,
tissue. In a study in the Tajan River, muscle tissue of in the ranges of 0.103 mg/kg w.w to 1.49 mg/kg d.w
Rutilus frisii kutum had a Cd concentration of (mean) for Cd, 0.228 mg/kg w.w to 1.70 mg/kg d.w
0.33 mg/kg w.w, which is higher than the EC, Turkey, (mean) for Pb, and 0.198 mg/kg w.w to 1.02 mg/kg
U.K, China, and Switzerland permissible limits. Pb d.w (mean) for Ni. In three studies on Barbus grypus,
concentration in the same study (3.12 mg/kg w.w) was Barbus xanthopterus, and Liza abu in the Dez River,
also higher than all standard limits except that of Hong mean concentration of Cd in Barbus grypus (0.11 mg/
Kong. Cd and Zn accumulated in the gills, Pb, Cu, and kg w.w) was higher than the EC and Turkey standards,
Ni in brain, Fe in heart, and Mn in muscle tissue. and Pb concentration (0.24 mg/kg w.w) was slightly
The mean concentration ranges of HMs (in mg/kg higher than the EC permissible limits. Gill was the
d.w) in Capoeta damascina from the Sezar River were main organ of accumulation for all HMs.
as follows: for Pb between 1.7 and 67.6 in gill; for Cu The mean concentrations of Hg, Cd, and Pb in fish
between 6.3 and 35.3 in gill; for Ni between 2 and 9.4 species collected from the Bahmanshir River ranged
in muscle tissue and gill, respectively; for Zn between from 0.027 mg/kg d.w in the muscle tissue of Liza abu
14 and 119 in muscle tissue and gill, respectively; for to 0.029 mg/kg d.w in the gills of Liza abu, 0.017 mg/
Fe between 43 and 271 in muscle tissue and gill, kg w.w in the muscle tissue of Liza abu to 0.506 mg/
respectively. Muscle samples of Capoeta damascina kg d.w in the gills of Liza abu, and 0.472 mg/kg w.w in
from the Sezar River had high concentrations of Pb, the muscle tissue of Acanthopagrus latus to 1.909 mg/
ranging from 6.2 to 9.1 mg/kg d.w, which is about kg w.w in the muscle tissue of Liza abu, respectively.
3.5–5.5 times higher than the FDA permissible limit. Also, the lowest and highest mean concentrations of
Gills were the main accumulating organ of HMs, other HMs (in mg/kg w.w) were observed in the
showing the highest concentrations of Ni, Cu, Pb, Fe, muscle tissues of Liza abu and Acanthopagrus latus,
and Zn. respectively, in the ranges of 3.418 to 6.876 for Cu,
The mean concentration ranges of HMs (in mg/kg 0.011 to 0.378 for Ni, 12.985 to 17.567 for Zn, 0.128 to
d.w) in fish species caught from the Karoon River were 0.295 for As, 10.505 to 19.857 for Fe, 0.014 to 0.102
as follows: for Hg from 0.024 to 1.42 in the muscle for V, and 0.066 to 0.565 for Co. Muscle tissue of
tissue of Liza abu and the liver of Barbus xan- Acanthopagrus latus from the Bahmanshir River had a
thopterus, respectively; for Cd from 0.49 to 2.17 in the mean Cd concentration of 0.16 mg/kg w.w, which is
muscle tissue of Liza abu and the gills of Barbus higher than the EC, Turkey, China, and Switzerland
xanthopterus, respectively; for Pb from 0.97 to 2.91 in permissible limits. Co concentration in the muscle
the muscle tissue of Liza abu and the gills of Barbus tissue of the same species (0.57 mg/kg w.w) was
xanthopterus, respectively; for Ni from 0.46 to 1.43 in slightly higher than the FAO permissible limits.
the muscle tissue of Barbus grypus and the gills of Furthermore, average Pb concentration in muscle
Barbus xanthopterus, respectively; for Fe from 13.08 tissue of Liza abu (1.91 mg/kg w.w) was greater than
to 14.04 in the muscle tissue and gills of Liza abu, the WHO, EC, Turkey, China, Sweden, Switzerland,
respectively. In two studies in the Karoon River on and Thailand standard limits, and Pb concentration in
three species (Liza abu, Barbus grypus, and Barbus muscle tissue of Acanthopagrus latus (0.47 mg/kg
xanthopterus), mean concentration of Hg in muscle w.w) was greater than the EC and Turkey standard
tissue of Barbus xanthopterus (1.28 mg/kg d.w) and limits.
Pb in muscle tissue of Barbus grypus (1.75 mg/kg Fish species collected from the Aras, Gharasou, and
d.w) and Barbus xanthopterus (2.37 mg/kg d.w) were Karkheh Rivers did not indicate HM levels above or
greater than the FDA permissible limit. For Cd, Pb, Ni, equal to the permitted limits in any tissues. Generally,
and Fe, gills were the main accumulator, while liver anthropogenic activities such as rapid urbanization,
was the main accumulator for Hg. and industrial and agricultural development are the
Mean concentrations of Hg in fish species collected main reasons behind HM pollution in rivers (Char-
from the Dez River ranged from 0.023 to 1.06 mg/kg khabi et al., 2005; Diagomanolin et al., 2004; Salati &
d.w in the muscle tissue of Liza abu and the liver of Moore, 2010).
Barbus grypus, respectively. Also, the lowest and
highest concentrations of other HMs were found in the
123
Other resources concentrations of Ni, Fe, Cr, and Co were below

permissible limits.
Data for HM concentrations on fish species caught The mean concentration ranges of HMs (in mg/kg
from other water sources is presented in Table 5. In the w.w) in fish species sampled from the Sanandaj
Qanats of Birjand, the mean concentration ranges of Gheshlagh Reservoir were as follows: for Cd from 0.2
HMs (in mg/kg w.w) in Capoeta fusca were as to 0.7 in the skin of Cyprinus carpio and the gills of
follows: for Cd from 0.09 to 0.26 in the skin and liver, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, respectively; for Pb
respectively; for Ni from 0.08 to 0.46 in the skin; for from 0.3 to 0.9 in the skin of Cyprinus carpio and
Zn from 16.5 to 58.3 in the skin and liver, respectively; the gills and liver of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix,
for Cr from 0.15 to 0.46 in the skin and liver, respectively; for Cu from 7.5 to 19.5 in the skin of
respectively; for Co from 0.08 to 0.38 in the skin and Cyprinus carpio and the gills of Hypophthalmichthys
liver, respectively. The muscle tissue of Capoeta fusca molitrix, respectively; for Ni from 0.1 to 0.8 in the skin
had a mean Cd concentration of 0.10–0.12 mg/kg of Cyprinus carpio and the gills of Hypoph-
w.w, slightly higher than the EC and Turkey standard thalmichthys molitrix, respectively; for Zn from 10.6
limits. Other HMs (Ni, Zn, Cr, and Co) had concen- to 31.9 in the skin and gills of Hypophthalmichthys
trations lower than the standard limits. molitrix, respectively; for Fe from 17.7 to 41.6 in the
In the Chahnimeh reservoirs, mean values for Cd, skin and gills of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, respec-
Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe, Cr, and Co were in the ranges of tively; for Cr from 0.2 to 0.7 in the skin of Cyprinus
0.07 mg/kg w.w in the skin of Cyprinus carpio and the carpio and the liver of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix,
muscle tissue of Hypophthalmichthys to 0.155 mg/kg respectively. In a study on two fish species, concen-
d.w in the muscle tissue of Hypophthalmichthys trations of Pb, Cd, and Cu were higher, and those of Ni,
molitrix, 0.07 mg/kg d.w in the gills of Hipoph- Zn, Fe, and Cr were lower than the permissible limits.
thalmichthys molitrix to 0.70 mg/kg w.w in the gills of Mean concentrations of Cd in the muscle tissue of
Cyprinus carpio, 0.6 mg/kg w.w in the skin of Cyprinus carpio (0.3 mg/kg w.w) and Hypoph-
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix to 63.42 mg/kg d.w in thalmichthys molitrix (0.4 mg/kg w.w) were above
the liver of Hipophthalmichthys molitrix, 0.1 mg/kg the permissible limits of the EC, U.K, Turkey, China,
w.w in the skin of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix to and Switzerland. Pb concentration in Cyprinus carpio
0.8 mg/kg w.w in the gills of Cyprinus carpio, (0.5 mg/kg w.w) was above the permissible limits of
13.5 mg/kg w.w in the skin of Hypophthalmichthys the EC and Turkey, and Pb concentration in Hypoph-
molitrix to 74.40 mg/kg d.w in the gills of Hypoph- thalmichthys molitrix (0.7 mg/kg w.w) was above the
thalmichthys molitrix, 14.5 mg/kg w.w in the skin of permissible limits of the WHO, EC, Turkey, and
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix to 31.2 mg/kg w.w in China. Cu concentration was also higher than the
the gills of Cyprinus carpio, 0.1 mg/kg w.w in the skin WHO standard limit in the muscle tissue of Hypoph-
of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix to 0.5 in the gills of thalmichthys molitrix (12.1 mg/kg w.w).
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and 0.1 mg/kg w.w in In the Taham Dam, the concentration ranges of
the skin of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix to 0.7 mg/kg HMs (in lg/kg w.w) in the muscle tissue of Cyprinus
w.w in the gills of Cyprinus carpio, respectively. In carpio are observed to be 18–34, 3–13, 3–7, 1–7,
studies on two species, mean concentrations of Cd in 30–54, and 11–23 for Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and As,
Cyprinus carpio (0.08 mg/kg w.w) and Hypoph- respectively. Concentrations of all HMs were very low
thalmichthys molitrix (0.07 mg/kg w.w) were very and below the permissible limits in muscle tissue of
slightly higher than the EC and Turkey standards, and Cyprinus carpio. In the Sattarkhan dam, mean
mean concentrations of Pb (0.57 mg/kg w.w and concentrations of Cd (0.31 and 0.4 mg/kg d.w,
0.58 mg/kg w.w, respectively) were greater than the respectively) and Cu (2.41 and 1.54 mg/kg d.w,
WHO, EC, Turkey, and China standard limits. respectively) in the muscle tissue of Cyprinus carpio
Furthermore, mean concentrations of Cu and Zn in and Stizostedion lucioperca were lower than permis-
the muscle tissue of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix sible limits, while mean concentrations of As (29.09
were 41.01 and 72.20 mg/kg d.w, respectively, both and 19.76 mg/kg d.w, respectively) were higher than
higher than the FDA permissible limits. Also, the permissible limits.
123
Accumulation of HMs in fish tissues accumulation of Cu. In most studies, the concentration
of Cu in the liver is higher than other tissues, with
The accumulation of HMs in various types of tissues some exceptions where Cu concentration was higher
of fish species depends on the function of each tissue in gills. Generally, the order of tissues in Cu accumu-
and the differential metabolic demands of species (Das lation was as follows: liver [ gills [ kidney [ mus-
et al., 2017; Kalantzi, Black, et al., 2013). Different cle. The high concentrations of Cu in the liver could be
environmental factors, feeding habits, habitat, age, attributed to Cu binding to MTs, which serves as a
sex, and weight also play key roles in the accumulation detoxification mechanism (Birungi et al., 2007).
patterns of HMs by fish. Furthermore, the ability of Moreover, the liver has been considered a strong
fishes to regulate and excrete contaminants is also an accumulator for Cu in organisms (Marcovecchio &
important factor affecting the accumulation of HMs in Moreno, 1993). For Ni, liver and gills were the most
different tissues (Das et al., 2017). According to our important accumulator organs. Muscle had the lowest
review, liver is the major accumulator organ of Hg; the concentration of Ni among tissues. In general, Zn, Pb,
highest concentration of Hg was found in the liver. It and Cu follow approximately the same accumulation
has been established for aquatic organisms that the patterns in tissues of fish species. The target organs in
liver is the primary target organ for accumulation of the accumulation of Zn were liver [ gill [ kid-
Hg (Gerpe et al., 2002). Moreover, different studies ney [ muscle, in descending order of concentration.
have shown that fishes accumulate more Hg from However, in some cases, the Zn level in gills was
sediment than water (Asante et al., 2014). Such higher than liver. The highest and lowest concentra-
observations are in agreement with our results: tions of Zn were observed in the liver and muscle,
Johnius belangerii, as a benthic species, had the respectively. Despite the highest concentration of As
highest concentration of Hg. Also, other benthic being observed in muscle tissue, the general order of
species such as Euryglossa orientalis and Otolithes tissues in accumulation of As was as follows:
ruber had higher Hg concentrations than pelagic liver [ gill [ kidney [ muscle. For other metals,
species. liver was the main accumulator organ.
Accumulation of HMs is also influenced by the Generally, we observed that liver was the main
physiology of target organs (Gerpe et al., 2002). The accumulator tissue for all HMs in fish species,
order of tissues in accumulation of Cd was as follows: suggesting that metabolically-active tissues (liver,
liver [ gills [ kidney [ muscle. It has been argued kidney, and gill) may accumulate higher concentra-
that in most organisms, muscle tissue contains only tions of HMs (Ali & Khan, 2018). Gills are considered
negligible amounts of Cd (Youssef & Tayel, 2004), as the prime target for the uptake and toxic action of
which is in agreement with our results. The low levels water-borne metals such as Cd, Cu, and Zn (Birungi
of metal-binding proteins in fish muscle tissues leads et al., 2007). This pattern has also been reported in
to insignificant accumulation of Cd in these tissues studies on Barbus grypus and Cyprinus carpio in Iran,
(Ali & Khan, 2018). In addition, the accumulation of with their gill tissues having greater concentrations of
HMs at higher concentrations in the liver, kidney, and Cd, Cu, and Zn compared to other tissues, which could
gills is mainly a result of the existence of metal- be caused by direct contact with the environment
binding proteins in these organs such as metalloth- (Asante et al., 2014). Nevertheless, liver has been
ioneins (MTs) due to exposure to HMs (Ali & Khan, found to accumulate maximum concentrations of HMs
2018). Pb accumulation patterns vary between species such as Zn, Ni, Cu, and Cd in many species (Das et al.,
and tissues, which could be related to the Pb levels in 2017).
the environment. It has been shown that Pb accumu-
lates in tissues of organisms in proportion to the Relationships between HM concentrations and fish
ambient concentration (Das et al., 2017). However, the habitat and feeding habits
liver and gills are the most active bio-accumulator
tissues for Pb. Similar to Cd, the low Pb accumulation Accumulation of HMs in fish tissues can be used as a
in the muscle tissues of fishes indicates the insignif- bio-indicator for monitoring the health and safety of
icant levels of metal-binding proteins in these tissues aquatic ecosystems. Considering the significant role of
(Ali & Khan, 2018). The liver is the target organ in the fish in the diet of humans and their ability to transfer
123
and biomagnify HMs, it is necessary to determine and fish (Otolithes ruber and Euryglossa orientalis) were
study these contaminants in fish tissues, especially in higher than one pelagic species (Psettodes erumei),
the edible parts. The amount of HMs in aquatic their concentrations in another pelagic species (Liza
organisms is associated with their ecological and abu) were higher than those in benthic species, except
biological characteristics (Kojadinovic et al., 2007; for Hg. Similar results were also reported by
Saei-Dehkordi et al., 2010) and environmental param- Akhbarizadeh et al. (2018) from Khark Island in the
eters (Satheeshkumar & Senthilkumar, 2011); food Persian Gulf. Their results revealed that the concen-
niche, feeding habits, and habitat are counted among trations of Mn, Cr, Ni, and Zn were highest in benthic
the parameters influencing the accumulation of HMs species (Epinephelus coioides and Platycephalus
in fish species (Ebrahimpour & Mushrifah, 2010; indicus), and concentrations of Hg, Pb, Cu, As, Fe,
Poorbagher et al., 2017; Rejomon et al., 2010). and V were highest in pelagic species (Alepes djedaba
Generally, benthic organisms have higher concen- and Sphyraena jello). Anan et al. (2005) conducted
trations of HMs in their bodies than pelagic organisms research on three types of fish (benthic, bentho-
(Mackintosh et al., 2016). Therefore, benthic fishes pelagic, and pelagic species) in coastal waters of the
and/or fishes feeding on sediments show higher HM Caspian Sea. Based on their results, concentrations of
concentrations than species living in the upper parts of Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Pb were highest in pelagic
the water column because of their greater contact with species, and concentrations of Cr, Hg, and V were
the sediments containing pollutants as well as their highest in bentho-pelagic species. Also, Saei-Dehko-
greater uptake of HMs from zoobenthic predators (Yi rdi and Fallah (2011) stated that for most HMs,
et al., 2011). The same pattern was observed in our concentrations are higher in demersal species than
review. Hosseini et al. (2015) assessed the concentra- pelagic species, except for Cu, which had higher
tions of HMs in benthic and pelagic fish species of the concentrations in pelagic species. These results are in
Persian Gulf. They found that Euryglossa orientalis accordance with the findings of studies conducted in
and Otolithes ruber, both benthic species, had higher other parts of the world. Yi et al. (2011) report that
levels of HMs than pelagic species (Psettodes erumei benthic and demersal species, as well as species
and Liza abu). Abdolahpur Monikh et al. (2013b) inhabiting the lower zone of the water column, likely
determined the concentration of HMs in three fish show higher HM concentrations compared to species
species in Musa Estuary in the Persian Gulf. They living in the upper zone. Bustamante et al. (2003)
report that the benthic species (Euryglossa orientalis) found no significant difference between pelagic and
generally had higher concentrations of HMs than the benthic species in accumulation of HMs. The findings
pelagic species (Liza abu) and the bentho-pelagic of Liu et al. (2015) did not illustrate any significant
species (Johnius belangerii) in their study, except for relationships between trophic level and HM concen-
Pb, which was higher in Johnius belangerii. In another tration in fish species.
study, Keshavarzi et al. (2018) reported that Cynoglos- Similar to habitat, the diet of fish species plays a
surs arel (a benthic fish) generally had higher HM central role in the accumulation rate of HMs in fish
concentrations compared to mesopelagic (Johnius organs. Broadly, the concentrations of HMs in
belangerii) and pelagic (Anodontostoma chacunda) carnivorous species are higher than those in omniv-
species. Similar findings have also been obtained in orous and herbivorous species, with some exceptions
other studies from different regions worldwide (Mzi- (Terra et al., 2008). For instance, Li and Xie (2016)
ray & Kimirei, 2016; Šlejkovec et al., 2014; Wei et al., found that carnivorous fish species had higher HM
2014; Yi et al., 2008). levels than omnivorous species. Kasper et al. (2012)
In general, benthic or benthic feeder species found that carnivores had the highest concentrations of
accumulate the highest levels of HMs in comparison HMs, followed by omnivores and herbivores. Terra
with species that inhabit upper zones. However, some et al. (2008) also reported the highest contamination
studies report results that are inconsistent with this levels in carnivorous fishes, compared to omnivores
general pattern. For example, in a study conducted by and detritivores. Jiang et al. (2016) determined HM
Nabavi et al. (2014) in coastal waters of Khuzestan concentrations in fish species with three different
Province in southwestern Iran, although the concen- feeding habits. The results showed no significant
trations of HMs (Hg, Cd, Co, Ni, and Cu) in benthic variations in HM concentrations between carnivorous
123
and omnivorous species, but both species generally species than the benthic omnivorous species, except
had higher HM concentrations than herbivorous that the benthic omnivorous species showed higher
species. In another study conducted to assess the concentrations of Ni and Cd than all carnivorous
relationship between HM concentrations and trophic species. In a similar study from Bandar Abbas,
level, benthonic carnivorous fish had higher levels of Malakootian et al. (2016) assessed the bioaccumula-
HMs. The researchers concluded that the variability of tion of HMs in fish species with different diets and at
HM concentrations in fish species is likely a conse- different trophic levels. They report that concentra-
quence of differences in diet as well as habitat (Liu tions of Cr, Ni, and Hg were higher in the pelagic
et al., 2015). carnivore (Thunnus tonggol) than the benthic omni-
On the contrary, Yousafzai et al. (2010) compared vore (Liza klunzingeri), while Pb concentration was
HM concentrations in two fish species with different higher in the benthic omnivore than the pelagic
feeding habits, and found that HM concentrations carnivore. According to studies by Moham-
were higher in all tissue types in omnivorous fish madnabizadeh et al. (2012, 2013) in the Harra
compared to those of carnivorous fish. The results of a Biosphere Reserve, concentrations of all studied
study by Liu et al. (2015) revealed that the concen- HMs were higher in carnivorous species than omniv-
trations of Cr, Pb, Zn, and Cu were highest in orous species.
omnivorous species, whereas the highest concentra- In most studies conducted in the Persian Gulf,
tions of Cd were found in carnivorous species. They carnivorous species showed higher levels of HMs
also state that feeding habits and habitat influence the compared to herbivorous species. However, in some
accumulation of HMs in fish species. Likewise, Jia studies, Liza abu (a herbivorous fish), showed high
et al. (2017) assessed HM accumulation in different levels of HMs. Different patterns are seen in the
fish species. They found that carnivorous species accumulation of HMs by fish species from the Caspian
accumulated the highest concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Sea as well. In the study by Saravi and Shokrzadeh
As, while high concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn (2013), Cyprinus carpio (a benthic omnivore) had the
were found in omnivorous species. Li et al. (2018) highest levels of Cd, Pb, and Cr. Heshmati et al. (2017)
carried out a study to compare the accumulation of also found that the concentrations of Pb, Ni, and Co
HMs in fish species with different feeding habits. were higher in Cyprinus carpio (a benthic omnivore),
Based on their data, Cd and Hg concentrations were while concentrations of Hg, Cd, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn
found to be higher in carnivorous fish than those in were higher in Rutilus frisii kutum (a bentho-pelagic
omnivorous fish, except Cd, which was higher in the carnivore). Yazdi et al. (2012) found similar HM
muscle of Carassius auratus auratus (an omnivore); concentrations in carnivorous and herbivorous fish
Pb, Cr, and As concentrations were higher in omniv- species, with no significant differences between
orous species, except Cr, which was higher in the species from the two trophic levels.
muscle tissue of Silurus asotus (a carnivore). Fish species inhabiting wetland ecosystems are
The same irregular patterns were observed in usually classified as benthic organisms. Considering
studies conducted in Iran. Akhbarizadeh et al. (2019) their direct contact with sediments, they can have
investigated the accumulation of HMs in benthic higher concentrations of HMs than fish inhabiting
fishes with two different feeding habits. They found other ecosystems (Wu et al., 2017; Zafarzadeh et al.,
that Hg and As concentrations were higher in carniv- 2018). Therefore, it would be expected that benthic
orous species (Epinephelus coioides and Platy- and omnivorous species such as Cyprinus carpio,
cephalus indicus) than omnivorous species (Liza Barbus grypus, Barbus luteus, Barbus sharpeyi,
klunzingeri), and Pb, Cu, and Zn concentrations were Rutilus rutilus caspicus, and Rutilus frisii kutum
higher in omnivorous species. Naji et al. (2016) would have generally higher levels of HMs, confirm-
conducted a study to assess HM concentrations in ing the role of habitat and feeding habits in accumu-
pelagic carnivores (Thunnus tonggol, Rastrelliger lation of HMs (Leung et al., 2017; Rather et al., 2019).
kanagurta, and Sphyraena jello) and a benthic omni- Species inhabiting rivers are usually migratory, so
vore (Liza klunzingeri) in Bandar Abbas, Persian Gulf. their ecological and physiological characteristics are
Their results generally revealed higher concentrations defined mainly by their primary habitats. Due to the
of Cu, Pb, and Zn were in the pelagic carnivorous dynamic nature of rivers, pollutant concentrations are
123
often lower in rivers than in the body of organisms. ambient conditions, it was difficult to delineate a
This further highlights the importance of monitoring single mechanism for accumulation of HMs by
HM contamination in fish as fish seem to be one of the different species in different regions. However, it is
most sensitive taxa to the long-term effects of important to note that the quality of ecosystems and
contamination (Jovanović et al., 2017). In general, ambient pollution levels are very important in the
benthic, carnivorous and/or omnivorous species had uptake of contaminants by biota, often showing a
higher HM concentrations compared to other species, direct relationship between contaminant levels in the
with some exceptions among herbivorous and pelagic environment and concentrations in organisms. As seen
species. above, concentrations of most HMs in fish species
In most cases, a single factor cannot determine the exceeded the permitted standard limits in almost all
accumulation of HMs in fish. For example, Pourang regions along the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea.
(1996) found that there were highly significant differ- Contaminants can directly or indirectly cause
ences between sampling sites in the concentration of toxicity in aquatic organisms due to bioconcentration
HMs in benthic species, while no significant connec- and bioaccumulation in the food web. Once absorbed
tions were found between sampling season and HM in sediments, these pollutants can be exchanged
concentrations. Canli and Atli (2003) found no between biota, sediment and water in aquatic ecosys-
significant relationships between size and HM levels tems via chemical and biological processes (Yi et al.,
in Sardina pilchardus. A similar result was also 2011). Therefore, analysis of the concentration and
reported by Canpolat and Çalta (2003). Licata et al. distribution of HMs in water and sediment is important
(2005) reported no significant differences in HM for assessing their possible roles in bioaccumulation of
concentrations between sexes in Thunnus thynnus. HMs. Sediments make larger contributions to the
Similarly, the results of Solgi and Galangashi (2018) bioaccumulation of HMs than water, and have been
revealed no significant differences in HM concentra- extensively regarded as a predictor of potential
tions between sexes. According to Quintero-Alvarez ecological risks in aquatic ecosystems (Ahmed et al.,
et al. (2012), there were no differences in HM 2018). Also, sediments can likely act as possible
concentrations in fish species due to their feeding delayed sources of HMs in the water column through
habits. They also report no significant correlations redox reactions, desorption, degradation of sorptive
between HM concentrations and trophic levels. substances, and remobilization, which can directly
Nevertheless, considering all these results, it could affect water quality. Consequently, sediment consti-
be concluded that a set of several factors including tutes a potentially everlasting source of contamination
environmental conditions such as geography, pH, in the food web (Kalantzi, Shimmield, et al., 2013).
ambient temperature, salinity, interactions between Many studies have been conducted on the concen-
metals, dissolved and organic carbon, alkalinity, tration and distribution of HMs in aquatic ecosystems
hardness, sampling location, season, concentration in Iran (Bastami et al., 2014; Bastami, Neyestani,
and distribution of contaminants, and physiological et al., 2015; De Mora et al., 2004; Delshab et al., 2017;
and ecological characteristics such as species, sex, Dobaradaran, Soleimani, et al., 2018; Karbassi &
age, length, weight, health status, life cycle, habitat Amirnezhad, 2004; Maghrebi et al., 2018; Mirza et al.,
preference, feeding habit, trophic level, exposure 2019; Parizanganeh et al., 2007; Pejman et al., 2015;
period to contaminants, the likelihood of biomagnifi- Saravi & Shokrzadeh, 2013; Vaezi et al., 2015).
cation in the food chain, and metabolism affect the Jafarabadi et al. (2017) assessed the distribution and
accumulation of HMs in fish (Arulkumar et al., 2017; health risk of HMs in marine superficial sediments and
Asefi & Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi, 2015; Bendell coastal seawater of the Persian Gulf. Their results
Young & Harvey, 1989; Cheng et al., 2013; Dadar illustrated that the spatial distribution of HMs
et al., 2016; Ebrahimi & Taherianfard, 2010; Li et al., increased from east to the west of the gulf. Based on
2018; Łuczyńska et al., 2018; Luo et al., 2013; the enrichment factor, anthropogenic inputs such as
Mackintosh et al., 2016; Mziray & Kimirei, 2016; industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources were the
Waheed et al., 2014). main reasons for contamination of surface sediments
Given the diversity of species, their physiological by HMs. Among the study areas, Kharg (Khark)
and ecological characteristics, and the variations in Island, where oil exploration is widespread, had the
123
highest levels of HMs. In another study, intense was the major anthropogenic source of HM contam-
contamination of surface sediment by HMs was ination. Bastami et al. (2014) assessed HM concen-
reported from the northwest of the Persian Gulf due trations in sediments in the Caspian Sea. They
to anthropogenic activities such as maritime traffic and reported that the concentrations of HMs in surface
maintenance of fishing boats (Pejman et al., 2015). In a sediments along the southeastern coast of the Caspian
study in Asaluyeh Port, extremely high concentrations Sea were lower than concentrations presented by De
of HMs were observed in sediment due to human Mora et al. (2004). Also, the HM concentrations
activities such as operation of petrochemical indus- reported by Gholizadeh and Patimar (2018) for the
tries (Arfaeinia et al., 2016). Gorgan Bay were lower than those documented by
Along the coast of the Persian Gulf, the oil and Bastami et al. (2012, 2014). Bastami, Neyestani, et al.
petrochemical industry, shipping, and other industries (2015) assessed HM pollution in the coastal sediments
were the major sources of HM pollution in the coastal of the southern part of the Caspian Sea. They found
waters of Khuzestan Province (Madiseh et al., 2009); pollution in the sediments of a number of sampling
ship maintenance, petrochemical industries, and high sites, and concentrations of some HMs were higher
maritime traffic were the main sources in Imam than environmental quality guidelines for sediments,
Khomeini Port (Abdollahi et al., 2013); and oil and which could cause toxicity in organisms. They pointed
petrochemical industries, the packaging industry, to industrial development and other anthropogenic
plastic production and manufacturing of polyethylene activities during the previous decade as the causes of
pipes, the aluminum industry, and welding workshops HM pollution.
were the top sources of HM pollution in Bushehr Such differences in findings might reflect factors
(Dobaradaran, Schmidt, et al., 2018). Bastami, such as variations in the accuracy of measurements,
Afkhami, et al. (2015) evaluated the concentration of the number and geographical location of sampling
HMs in sediment and their bioaccumulation by Liza sites, seasonal changes, and weather conditions (Bas-
klunzingeri across the northern part of the Strait of tami et al., 2018). River discharge, extraction of oil
Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Oman Sea. and gas, industrial and municipal wastewater, and
Their study revealed that the concentrations of HMs dredging and dumping are the main sources of
were very high in this part of the Strait of Hormuz. pollution in the Caspian Sea (Korshenko & Gul,
Based on the results of their study, Liza klunzingeri 2005). Tabari et al. (2010) evaluated HM concentra-
had high concentrations of HMs, and its consumption tions in water, sediment, and fish from the southern
could be of very serious concern to human health. In part of the Caspian Sea. Their findings revealed that
another study conducted by Mohammadizadeh et al. for most HMs, concentrations were in the standard
(2016), the concentrations of HMs were investigated range, except for Cr in water, which was higher than
in sediments and in two species of sea cucumber in standard limits. The order of HM concentrations was
Qeshm Island (in the Persian Gulf). According to their as follows: sediment [ water [ fish.
results, concentrations of Cu in both species were Nonetheless, various studies have demonstrated
higher compared to those in sediment. Also, whether that HM concentrations in fish and benthic inverte-
the concentrations of other HMs were higher in the brates were higher in water and lower in sediment (Yi
body of species or in sediments varied among the et al., 2011, 2017). Moreover, it is well known that, in
species. These results corroborate that sediment acts as the absence of significant bioaccumulation, high
the major sink for HMs and has a key role in the uptake concentrations of HMs in water and sediment alone
of HMs by fish species (Yi et al., 2017). However, the do not pose direct toxicological risk to fishes. Bioac-
concentration of HMs in sediment alone is not enough cumulation is mediated by the biotic and abiotic
to assess bioavailability, toxicity, and contamination factors influencing HM uptake (Bastami, Afkhami,
conditions (Arfaeinia et al., 2016). et al., 2015). The efficiency of HM uptake from
Different results have been reported regarding the contaminated environments may depend on the con-
contamination of water and sediments by HMs in the tamination level of the environment, species ecolog-
Caspian Sea. De Mora et al. (2004) warned that HM ical needs and metabolism, the physicochemical
pollution had been increasing in the Caspian Sea over variables of water such as salinity and temperature,
the previous decade. Based on their findings, mining and the interactions between variables (Raissy et al.,
123
2011). Also, species ability to bioaccumulate HMs is a Abarshi, M. M., Dantala, E. O., & Mada, S. B. (2017). Bioac-
major factor affecting the uptake of these contami- cumulation of heavy metals in some tissues of croaker fish
from oil spilled rivers of Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Asian
nants from the environment. Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 7(6), 563–568.
Abdolahpur Monikh, F., Peery, S., Karami, O., Hosseini, M.,
Bastami, A. A., & Ghasemi, A. F. (2012). Distribution of
Conclusion metals in the tissues of benthic, Euryglossa orientalis and
Cynoglossus arel., and Bentho-Pelagic, Johnius belan-
gerii., Fish from three estuaries Persian Gulf. Bulletin of
The objectives of this review were to assess the Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 89(3),
bioaccumulation of HMs by fish species in Iran’s 489–494.
aquatic ecosystems, and to compare HM concentra- Abdolahpur Monikh, F., Safahieh, A., Savari, A., & Doraghi, A.
(2013a). Heavy metal concentration in sediment, benthic,
tions with the permissible limits for fish. Also, we benthopelagic, and pelagic fish species from Musa Estuary
investigated the relationships between HM concentra- (Persian Gulf). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment,
tions and species habitat and feeding habits. The 185(1), 215–222.
concentrations of HMs were evaluated in fish col- Abdolahpur Monikh, F., Safahieh, A., Savari, A., Ronagh, M.
T., & Doraghi, A. (2013b). The relationship between heavy
lected from the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea, metal (Cd Co, Cu, Ni and Pb) levels and the size of benthic,
wetlands, rivers, qanats, dams, and water reservoirs. benthopelagic and pelagic fish species, Persian Gulf. Bul-
Irregular patterns and different mechanisms were letin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology,
observed in the accumulation of HMs by fish species 90(6), 691–696.
Abdollahi, S., Raoufi, Z., Faghiri, I., Savari, A., Nikpour, Y., &
with different habitats and diets. In general, however, Mansouri, A. (2013). Contamination levels and spatial
species inhabiting the lower zone of the water column distributions of heavy metals and PAHs in surface sedi-
and carnivorous and/or omnivorous species showed ment of Imam Khomeini Port, Persian Gulf, Iran. Marine
higher concentrations of HMs. Furthermore, the Pollution Bulletin, 71(1), 336–345.
Abdolvand, S., Esfahani, S. K., & Dmirchi, S. (2014). Mercury
highest concentrations of HMs were observed in (Hg) and methyl mercury (MMHg) bioaccumulation in
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Declarations muscle of whitecheek shark, Carcharhinus dussumieri
(elasmobranchii, chondrichthyes) from the Persian Gulf: A
food safety issue. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 97,
Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no
135–140.
known competing financial interests or personal relationships
Agah, H., Leermakers, M., Elskens, M., Fatemi, S. M. R., &
that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this
Baeyens, W. (2009). Accumulation of trace metals in the
paper.
muscle and liver tissues of five fish species from the Persian
Gulf. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment,
157(1–4), 499.
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Bioacumulación de Metales Pesados en Especies de Peces de Irán

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Bioacumulación de Metales Pesados en Especies de Peces de Irán

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Environ Geochem Health

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish species of Iran:

Received: 9 October 2020 / Accepted: 8 March 2021

Results and discussion high concentrations of Hg were observed in the liver

Liver Mean ± S.D – 0.60 ± 0.75 1.94 ± 0.86 202 ± 15.81

Liver Mean ± S.D 1.06 ± 0.01 0.29 ± 0.07 3.05 ± 0.02 –

Liver Mean ± S.D 0.22 0.26 ± 0.05 2.49 ± 0.01 –

Otolithes ruber Muscle Min – 0.006 0.076 0.738

Skin Min – 0.33 0.145 0.88

Liver Mean ± S.E – 0.68 ± 0.04 0.37 ± 0.02 –

Liver Mean ± S.E – 0.59 ± 0.04 0.30 ± 0.01 –

Hendijan Port Saurida tumbil Muscle Min – N.D N.D 0.62

Liver Min – 0.19 0.77 12

Pampus argenteus Gill Min 0.25 – – 0.45

Muscle Min 0.01 – – 0.2

Muscle Mean ± S.D – – 0.67 ± 0.16 2.31 ± 1.22

Musa Estuary 0.12 19.00 N.D – – – 0.90

95.36 99.31 – – – – 109.29

Northwest coastal waters 2.15 ± 0.17 – – – – – –

Bushehr Port 0.435 – – – – – –

Musa Estuary 0.28 – – – – – –

Hendijan Port 1.6 14 – – – 31 –

Location HMs Unit Analytical method Ref

0.18 ± 0.02 8.83 ± 2.51 0.48 ± 0.16 2.01 ± 0.19

Khark Island – – – – mg/ ICP–OES Abadi et al. (2015)

Musa Estuary – – 0.44 ± 0.09 – mg/ FAAS Abdolahpur Monikh et al.

been shown to be carcinogenic for humans (Abarshi

Pb (50 mg/kg d.w, mean: 31.39 mg/kg d.w) was

muscle tissue (6.46 mg/kg d.w) was observed in

klunzingeri, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Sphyraena jello,

roles in metabolism and hemoglobin synthesis. How-

According to Table 1, Cu concentrations in fish

species ranged from 0.1 mg/kg w.w in the muscle

Estuary with a mean concentration of 1065.50 mg/kg

340.73 mg/kg d.w). Mean Cu concentration in the

muscle tissue of Otolithes ruber from Mahshahr Port

N.D: Not detected

was 25.3 mg/kg d.w, which is higher than the WHO,

Euryglossa orientalis from Musa Estuary (12.68 mg/

Red Mean ± S.D – 0.019 ± 0.00 4.55 ± 0.20 12.90 ± 0.59

White Mean ± S.D – N.D 0.82 ± 0.05 0.71 ± 0.04

Liver Min – 0.97 11.32 –

Muscle Min – 0.005 1.72 –

– 17.950 ± 3.684 – 0.002 ± 0.002 – – 0.017 ± 0.011

25.3 0.010 0.037

Golestan province – – 0.002 – – – –

Golestan province – – 0.002 – – 63.46 –

Location HMs Unit Analytical method Ref

0.27 0.022 0.016

0.18 0.006 0.009

Gorgan Bay 6.01 – – mg/kg FAAS Alipour and Banagar (2018)

(10.67 mg/kg d.w) were slightly higher than the WHO

Solgi and Esfandi Sarafraz (2015)

emphysema, fibrosis, inflammation, and tumors

in the liver of Johnius belangerii from Khark Island,

the permissible limits, except for Johnius belangerii

WHO standard. Moreover, relatively high concentra-

Zinc is the second most common and abundant

trace element after Fe, and serves essential roles in

isms (Yap et al., 2016). Zn concentrations ranged from

204.11 mg/kg d.w (mean) in the liver of Cynoglossurs

arel in Musa Estuary. Zn concentration in the muscle

tions of Zn were observed in the muscle tissue of