Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in common carp: Implications for human health

Zn,ni,cr,cu,cd and pb were examined in the muscle,intestine,liver,skin and gills of common carp,cyprinus carpio. aim of the study was to quantify the accumulation of these metals in various organs and to determine whether these levels pose a human health concern. our finding fix the metal bioaccumulation order in the muscle of cyprinus carpio was zn>cr>cu> pb>ni>cd,in the intestine was zn>pb>cr>cu>ni>cd,in the liver was zn>cr>cr>pb>ni>cd,in the skin was zn>cr>pb> cu>ni>cd and in the gills was zn>cr>cu>pb>ni>cd. overall heavy metals burden was in the order of zn>cr>pb>cu>ni>cd. different tissues of the fish accumulated heavy metals in the order of intestine>skin>liver>gills>muscle. intestine being the prime target organ indicates the route of the metal uptake was the direct result of dietary exposure. although muscle accumulated the least level of metals but even then pb,ni and cd in muscle exceed the us,rda limits and pose a health concern for fish consumers. copyright 2012 zoological society of pakistan.