Determination of trace metals in different fish species and sediments from the River Yeşilırmak in Tokat, Turkey

In the presented study, five different fish species and sediment samples were collected from polluted areas, control samples from unpolluted areas in Yeşilırmak River during 2008–2009. The samples were analyzed using flame and/or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after various digestion methods. The relative standard deviations (RSD) were found below 10%. The accuracy of the methods was confirmed by certified reference materials. The maximum iron, zinc, copper, lead, manganese, nickel and cadmium concentrations were found to be as 116 (Fe), 63.5 (Zn), 2.5 (Cu), 0.56 (Pb), 9.4 (Mn), 10.2 (Ni) and 0.75 (Cd) μg/g in fish samples. The maximum metal concentration in sediment was 3566 μg/g for Fe, 463 μg/g for Mn, 45.5 μg/g for Zn, 38.7 μg/g for Cu, 17.3 μg/g for Pb, 79.2 μg/g for Ni and 0.55 μg/g for Cd, respectively. Some species is accumulated trace metals at high ratio.