Distribution of metals in tissues of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of selected metals (As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, Cu and Zn) in tissues of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) grown in ponds. A total of 125 market-ready carp (aged 3 - 4 years, weight 2312 583 g) from 10 fishponds in the Czech Republic were analysed. The tissues analysed included muscle, liver, kidney, spleen, gills, ovaria and testes. Metal concentrations were determined by the AAS, mercury was determined using a cold-vapour AAS analyse (AMA 254). Results showed different affinities of metals to different tissues. The highest concentrations of As and Hg were in muscle tissue, Cu in the liver, and Cd and Zn in the kidneys, compared with levels in other tissues (p < 0.01). The lowest metal concentrations (particularly of Cd) were found in the spleen, gills and gonads. Lead concentrations in the individual tissues were low and practically identical. Chromium concentrations were also balanced with sporadic significant differences (p < 0.05). Significantly higher concentrations of Cu, Cr (p < 0.05) and Zn (p < 0.01) were found in the ovaria compared with the testes. The study showed that meat and gonads of pond carp in the Czech Republic are safe from the point of view of contamination with the metals investigated.