Abstract:
The aim of this study was to analyze seasonal
variation of levels of Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn),
Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd) and
Lead (Pb) in water, sediment and tissues of Squalius
cephalus (L., 1758) taken from five different stations
chosen at Yamula Dam Lake (Kayseri, Turkey). Concentrations
of metals were generally sorted as water\tissue\
sediment. The highest concentration of metals in water was
observed in the samples taken in the summer (Mn,
1.04 ± 0.15 mg L-1; Ni, 0.42 ± 0.12 mg L-1; Cu,
1.25 ± 0.88 mg L-1; Zn, 3.61 ± 1.53 mg L-1; Pb,
0.58 ± 0.09 mg L-1). While the highest Zn (24.85 ±
21.82 lg g-1) and Pb (10.89 ± 4.2 lg g-1) concentrations
in sediment were observed in the winter samples, the
highest Mn concentration (167.2 ± 99.37 lg g-1) was
observed in the summer. Cd pollution was determined in
sediment according to international criteria. The highest
metal concentration in tissues was generally observed in
the liver and the other tissues; following liver were gills
and muscles. In liver tissues, while the highest accumulation
of Zn (110.34 ± 13.1) and Mn (22.5 ± 14.85
lg g-1), which are essential for the body, were observed in
the winter, Pb (22.58 ± 7.83 lg g-1) and Cd (11.77 ±
7.83 lg g-1), which are toxic, were found to be higher in
the summer. Also, concentrations of Mn, Cd and Pb in
muscle tissues were found to be above the limits permitted.
