Mercury concentrations in commercial fish from freshwater and saltwater

Research was performed to investigate the concentration of mercury in muscle and liver of fish species from freshwater (Barbus xanthopterus, Barbus grypus, Liza abu) and saltwater (Cynoglossus arel, Periophthalmus waltoni, Otolithes ruber) in Khouzestan, Iran. In freshwater fish, muscle was polluted in comparison with liver except for Barbus xanthopterus which high levels of mercury were measured in liver. In saltwater fish liver was contaminated than muscle except for Cynoglossus arel which high level of mercury was found in muscle. Significant variations in metal values were evaluated using student's t test at P < 0.05. Mercury concentrations were well above the permissible limits suggested by WHO and FDA guidelines.