Seasonal Examination of Heavy Metal Levels in Muscle Tissues of European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus, Walbaum 1792)

The sampling point of the research was determined as the shores of Canakkale Strait, where fishing is dense. Seasonal sampling of European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus, Walbaum 1792) was made that caught by commercial fishing boats in Canakkale Strait and rarely offered for consumption. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) allows analysis of trace, minor and major concentration levels of the chemical element, was used to determine the amount of heavy metals in the samples. Analysis of Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) heavy metals in samples was performed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were determined in muscle tissues of European pilchard. In the samples, Cd values were detected only in autumn, Cu level was found highest in winter, Fe and Zn levels were highest in spring and the level of Mn was observed higher in winter. Pb has not been detected in fish muscle dough in any season. Mn level has been obtained above the limit values and Cd level was found under the offered limits. As a result, it has been determined that the heavy metal accumulation in the muscle tissues of European pilchard caught from Canakkale Strait increased seasonally in parallel with the increase of pollution.