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. Khalaf, Tariq Al-Najjar, Mahmoud Alawi, Ahmad A. Disi

Biology Department, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Chemistry Department, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Faculty of Marine Sciences, University of Jordan, Aqaba, Jordan.
Faculty of Marine Sciences, University of Jordan, Aqaba, Jordan;.

DOI: 10.4236/ns.2012.46050                

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

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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