Natural Science

Vol.4, No.6, 362-367 (2012) http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ns.2012.46050

Natural Science

Levels of trace metals in three fish species Decapterus macrellus, Decapterus macrosoms and Decapterus russelli of the family carangidae from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Jordan

Maroof A. Khalaf1, Tariq Al-Najjar1, Mahmoud Alawi2, Ahmad A. Disi3

1 2

Faculty of Marine Sciences, University of Jordan, Aqaba, Jordan; m.khalaf@ju.edu.jo Chemistry Department, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan 3 Biology Department, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan Received 3 April 2012; revised 10 May 2012; accepted 28 May 2012

ABSTRACT

Fishes of the family Carangidae, Decapterus macarellus, Decapterus macrosoma, and Decapterus russelli, were collected from the Jordanian Aqaba coast during 2008-2009 for the determination of their metal concentrations in various organs (muscle, liver, kidney, gonads, gills, and stomach food contents) using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The results showed significant differences in metal concentration between species. The present study indicated significant differences of heavy metal elements among different organs of the same species. The results did not reveal any significant differences between male and female organs, and the only significant difference were found for Pb in Decapterus macorsoma and for Cu in Decapterus russelli. The low metal concentrations found in muscle tissue (in all studied species) has implications for human health. Keywords: Trace Metals; Decapterus Fish; Gulf of Aqaba; Jordan

aquatic systems, where these metals are accumulated by aqauatic organisms and may be further transferred up to top trophic levels [3]. Many plant and animal species have been suggested as bioindicators for monitoring a variety of contaminants in the marine ecosystem [4,5]. Fish are often at the top of the aquatic food chain and may concentrate large amounts of some metals from the water [6]. Fish is constantly exposed to pollutants through...