Heavy metal pollution can have devastating effects on the ecological balance of the recipient environment and a diversity of aquatic organisms. Among animal species, fishes are the inhabitants that cannot escape from the harmful effects of these contaminants. In the present research, during spring 2014, twenty-nine specimens of Liza aurata were collected from Bandar Anzali coast in Gilan province. The aim of this study was to provide information on heavy metal (Cd and Pb) concentrations in the muscles of this fish species and to evaluate the possible risk associated with their consumption. The levels of heavy metals were measured by GFAAS after digestion of the samples using concentrated acids. The results of this study showed that the average concentrations of cadmium and lead in muscle were 0.67 and 0.072 µg/g, respectively. The concentration of two metals in the present research were lower than the limits permitted by FAO, WHO, MAFF and NHMRC. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of two metals through consumption of the Liza aurata fish by native people in the Bandar Anzali coast were well below the permissible tolerable daily intake for 70 kg person (PTDI70) set by EPA. Therefore, it can be concluded that no problems on human health would be raised at present from the consumption of Liza aurata fish from the Bandar Anzali coasts.

Keywords: Caspian Sea, Heavy metal, Hzard index, Liza aurata

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