THE FOLLOW UP OF MERCURY LEVELS IN SIX FISH SPECIES: A CASE STUDY SHATT AL-ARAB RIVER, IRAQ

Abstract

The present work is an attempt to study the mercury levels in six fish species from Shatt Al-
Arab River were determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, provide values that are
lower than the most literature data. We found significant species differences, with Cyprins Carpio
having the highest levels and Barbus sharpeyi the lowest levels. The results showed statistically
significant differences of total mercury concentration were also found among the individually tested
tissues (muscle, kidney, liver, skin and gills), since the muscle of the tested fish accumulate the
highest amount of mercury. The present study pointed out that at the time of analysis Shatt Al-arab
River is still a non –polluted area as the data illustrated