Arsenic concentrations in commercial fish from freshwater and saltwater

Research was performed to investigate the concentration of arsenic in muscle and liver of fish species from freshwater, Barbus luteus, Aspius vorax, Cyprinion macrostomus in Karoon Rivers and saltwater, Liza dussumieri, Liza klunzingeri, Liza macrolepis, Scomberomorus commerson, Otolithes ruber, Scomberomorus guttatus, in Persian Gulf, Iran. Arsenic levels in muscles of seaport fish were high in comparision with riverine fish. Arsenic levels in muscle of Scomberomorus guttatus in Hendijan Seaport were higher than other species in freshwater and saltwater. Generally, in this research arsenic levels have significant differences (P<0.05) in muscles of fish between freshwater and saltwater except for Liza macrolepis in Hendijan Seaport which did not have significant differences with Barbus luteus, Aspius vorax, Cyprinion macrostomus in Karoon River. Arsenic levels in muscle of Barbus luteus in Karoon River were higher than other species in freshwater. In saltwater species, arsenic level in muscle of Scomberomorus guttatus in Hendijan Seaport was high in comparision with other saltwater species. The results indicated that the muscles of fishes were highly contaminated by arsenic and exceeded WHO 0.02 mg kg-1 legal limits.