Cadmium and Nickel Accumulation in Water, Sediment and Tissues of Esox lucius in Lake Büyük Akgöl, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish cadmium and nickel levels accumulated in water and sediment of the lake and tissues (muscle, liver and gill) of Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758 living in the lake Büyük Akgöl. The samples were collected from five seasonal stations during August 2009 and April 2010.The water had0.045 mg/L of Cd and 0.052 mg/L of Ni whereas sediment had12.2 mg/kg of Cd and 41.5 mg/kg of Ni. The fish muscle tissue had 12.03 mg/kg of Cd and 22.2 mg/kg of Ni, which were above the limit values determined by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Data obtained as a result of these measurements demonstrate that the Büyük Akgöl faces with pollution and the fish hunted in the lake being eaten poses a danger for public health.