Contents of cadmium, copper, mercury and lead in fish from the Neretva river (Bosnia and Herzegovina) determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

The concentrations of cadmium, copper, mercury and lead in fish from the Neretva river have been investigated in order to assess safety for consumers and the level of contamination. Samples of muscle and liver from six fish species (brown trout, common carp, prussian carp, chub, rudd and gray mullet) were collected at six locations upstream and downstream from the three largest towns along the Neretva river. Metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave-assisted acid mineralisation. Accumulation of metals in fish tissues was species-dependent. The average content of metals in fish muscle samples was 0.013–0.055, 0.068–16.059, 0.050–0.401 and 0.055–0.703 mg/kg for Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb, respectively. Health effects due to fish consumption could not be excluded. Further investigation is recommended, including a survey of fish consumption frequency among the local inhabitants and sports fishermen.