Seasonal investigation of trace element contents in commercially valuable fish species from the Black sea, Turkey

Fish species (Sarda sarda, Mulus barbatus ponticus, Trachurus trachurus and Merlangius merlangus) were collected from the Black sea, Turkey between 2008 and 2009 (spring, summer, autumn and winter). The samples were analyzed using flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion. The maximum metal concentrations were found to be as 25.5–41.4 μg/g (Fe), 17.8–25.7 μg/g (Zn), 0.28–0.64 μg/g (Pb), 0.64–0.99 μg/g (Cr), 1.3–3.6 μg/g (Mn), 1.4–1.9 μg/g (Cu), 0.18–0.35 μg/g (Cd) and 0.25–0.42 μg/g (Co) for fish species. The concentration of trace metals in samples is depended on fish species. Some species is accumulated trace metals at high ratio. Trace element levels in analyzed fish species were acceptable to human consumption at nutritional and toxic levels. The levels of lead and cadmium in fish samples were higher than the recommended legal limits.