animal biosystematic
Habibe Zare; Batool Gorgin; Fateme Azizzadeh
Abstract
This study examines the status of toxic metals in the soil and fish of the Persian Gulf coast, focusing on Bushehr region. The main goal of this research is to identify and evaluate the concentration of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in soil samples and fish caught from this ...
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This study examines the status of toxic metals in the soil and fish of the Persian Gulf coast, focusing on Bushehr region. The main goal of this research is to identify and evaluate the concentration of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in soil samples and fish caught from this area. Using the standard methods of sampling and chemical analysis, the method recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA 3050B) was used as a common acid digestion method, and the necessary data were collected and analyzed. According to the values obtained from five stations on the shores of the Persian Gulf, the concentration of heavy metals, manganese, zinc, chromium and nickel is more than other metals. Also, by examining the average rate of heavy metals in the fish of three Persian Gulf stations, the concentrations of aluminum, zinc, lead, nickel, and copper are the highest. The results showed the presence of high concentrations of some toxic metals in soil and fish, which can be caused by industrial activities, agriculture and oil pollution. These findings raise concerns about ecosystem health and food safety in Bushehr region and emphasize the necessity of management and monitoring measures to reduce pollution and protect natural resources. In general, heavy metals are toxic to the body at very low levels. Aluminum, lead, cadmium, and nickel have a higher degree of toxicity, therefore, the increase of these metals in the tissue of fishes is associated with many risks. The main mechanism of heavy metal toxicity includes the production of free radicals to cause oxidative stress, damage to biological molecules such as enzymes, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and DNA damage.
