TOXIC METALS IN Engraulis encrasicolus (LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM THE COASTAL WATERS OF SINOP IN THE BLACK SEA

Levent BAT¹ , ELIF ARICI² , AYŞAH ÖZTEKIN³ , FATIH ŞAHIN⁴

The aim of this study is to determine the amounts of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in the muscle tissue of Engraulis encrasicolus caught from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea. Metal analysis was performed by ICP-MS. Pb showed the highest concentration followed by As, Hg and Cd. The presence of four toxic metal levels was determined in the edible tissues of E. encrasicolus however, in quantities even below the allowable limits set by the Turkish Food Codex (TFC), EU Commission Regulation and other international standards. As has the highest concentration (0.13 mg/kg wet wt.) among the toxic metals as shown in Figure 3 which followed by Pb and Hg with levels of 0.09 and 0.055 mg/kg wet wt. The highest Cd level was 0.033 mg/kg wet wt. The total of Target Hazard Quotient values for each element was less than 1, and it was concluded that anchovy consumption was safe for human health.

Keywords
Engraulis encrasicolus, Black Sea,, Sinop Shores, Estimated Daily Intake, Target Hazard Quotient,