花蓮師院學報
民 92,17 期 35-44 頁
Accumulations of Heavy Metals in Fish
Wen-Bin Huang a , Tzong-Huei Lee b , Chih-Yu Chen c,*
a
Department of Science Education, National Hualien Teachers College, Hualien, Taiwan 970, R.O.C.
b
Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan 110, R.O.C.
c
Department of Tourism, Hsing Wu College, Taipei, Taiwan 244, R.O.C.
(Received May 15, 2003; Accepted October 6, 2003)
Abstract
High level accumulation of heavy metals in tissues from environment is considered toxic for the
marine organisms.
In this review, we primarily compared the accumulations of the two essential
metals, copper and zinc, and three non-essential metals, cadmium, lead and mercury, in the fish tissues
of liver, gonad, gill, intestine and muscle.
In general, the order of the metal concentrations in the
tissues of fish is liver and gonad > gill and intestine > muscle.
The accumulation levels of the
essential metals are generally higher and more homeostatic than the non-essential metals in fish.
The
differences of the metal accumulation levels influenced by the feeding, habitat, sex and age (size) of
fish in the tissues were discussed.
Effects of the seasonal change and the salinity in the environment
were also reviewed.
Keywords: zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, mercury, fish, tissue, pollution
increased in fish may pose a threat to human
Introduction
health through consumption of the fish (Chen
and Chen, 1999), though some metals, for
Heavy metals are considered the important
example zinc and copper, are essential trace
pollutants of aquatic environment because of
minerals for metabolic regulation at cellular and
their toxicity and accumulation by marine
tissue levels (Vallee and Faclchul, 1993). The
organisms (Zyadah and Chouikhi, 1999). The
concentrations of heavy metals in tissues of fish
concentrations of the metals, such as cadmium,
are determined primarily by the level of pollution
of the water and food.
* Corresponding author
The concentrations
36 花蓮師院學報第十七期
themselves are the result of uptake and release
than any other organs in fish (Al-Yousuf et al.,
processes
2000).
elements
with
and
characteristic
their
biological
kinetics
half
for
time,
Fish may accumulate heavy metals by
influenced by the age (size) of individuals, the
absorption through gills or by consumption of
feeding habits of these species, and by the season,
contaminated food and sediments (Wong et al.,
as well as the biochemical characteristics of the
2001).
tissues (Farkas et al., 2000). In this review, we
heavy metals are higher in gills than in intestines
primarily concentrated on the accumulations of
in fishes (Table 1). However, the accumulation
the two common essential metals, copper and
patterns of metals in tissues of fishes are varied
zinc, and three non-essential metals, cadmium,
with the kind of metals. With the exception of
lead and mercury, in fish tissues of liver, gonad,
zinc
gill, intestine and muscle.
gastrointestinal absorption and gill uptake, the
In general, the concentration of the
which
cadmium
Accumulation of heavy metals
in tissues
significantly
and
copper
showed
demonstrate
both
more
significant uptake through gill than through
digestive tract (Chen and Chen, 1999). Gonad is
another organ with high metal concentration in
Recently
metals
tissues of fishes (Table 1). Kidney is the major
accumulated in fish tissues are shown in Table 1.
organ of cadmium accumulation in rainbow trout
Liver is the tissue accumulated the highest level
Oncorhynchus mykiss (McGeer et al., 2000).
of
the
reported
essential
and
heavy
non-essential
metal
Muscle is the tissue that usually has the
concentrations. It is a storage and detoxification
lowest
organ for the metals (Avenant- Oldewage and
concentrations in fishes (Table 1).
Marx, 2000) and an organ where the specific
concentrations in skin, as well as in muscle, were
metabolism
enzyme-catalyzed
generally lower than in gills, liver, intestines and
reaction related to these metals take place (Jaffar
gonads (Wong et al., 2001). However, opposite
and Pervais Shahid, 1989). In addition, it plays
cases could be found usually in contaminant area.
an important role in contaminant storage,
For example, the mercury concentrations in
redistribution, detoxification or transformation,
muscle were higher than those in livers of smelt
and also acts as an active site of pathological
Osmerus eperlanus and perch Perca fluviatilis in
effects induced by contaminants (Evans et al.,
the Vaike Vain Strait, western Estonia, due to the
1993).
characteristics of the Strait and the fish habitat
process
and
The liver tissues are more often
recommended as an indicator of water pollution
essential
(Voigt, 2000).
and
non-essential
metal
Metal
重金屬在魚體之累積 37
compared to plankton feeders and pelagic
Regulation of essential and
non-essential metals in tissues
carnivores (Krishnamurti and Nair, 1999). The
concentrations of mercury in muscle tissue of the
metals
predatory fishes (Esox lucios, Alburnus alburnus,
accumulated in various tissues depend on the
Gymnocephalus cernua, Perca fluvatilis, Belone
biochemical characteristics of the metal (Farkas
belone)
et al., 2000). Accumulation of zinc and copper
non-predatory
are generally higher than lead and cadmium in
membras, Sprattus sprattus baltius, Osmerus
the tissues of Epinephelus areolatus, Lutjanus
eperlanus,
russelli and Sparus sarba (Wong et al., 2001).
Except of mercury, the concentrations of the
The small range of the bioaccumulation factors
heavy metals (ex. Cadmium, copper and zinc) in
of zinc in various fish tissues indicates that zinc
tissues generally appear to be inversely related to
is regulated to maintain a homeostatic status in
the trophic level of the fish species (Amundsen et
fish (Chen and Chen, 1999).
al., 1997).
The
different degrees of
the
Lead has no
biological function or requirement and its
are
higher
than
species
Rutilus
those
(Clupea
rutilus)
(Voigt,
of
the
harengus
2000).
The eco-geographic habitat of the fishes
fish tissues are
may be another factor related to the metals
generally low (< 1 μg/g) (Thompson, 1990).
accumulated in tissues. The levels of mercury
Accumulation of zinc and copper, if occurred, is
concentrations in the coastal inshore species are
rapid but quantitatively low.
For cadmium,
higher than those in open-sea fishes, but for
time to half saturation is long and saturation
copper the opposite is observed (Voigt, 2000).
concentrations are high (McGeer et al., 2000).
Higher concentrations of cadmium apparently
concentrations in marine
are encountered in livers of the benthic fishes, as
Feeding and habitat relevance
compared to that of the pelagic fish (Roméo et al.,
1999).
Metal accumulations in tissues are found to
By contrast, Zyadah and Chouikhi
(1999) reported that the pelagic Boops boops
The observed differences
accumulated the heavy metals in the organs more
between the metal concentration in fishes may be
than the benthic Mullus barbatus and Merluccius
related primarily to their feeding habits, as well
merliccius,
as
the
accumulation trends of the essential and
bio-concentration capacity of each species
non-essential metals in fish were attributed to the
(Farkas et al., 2000). Maximum concentrations
ecology and physiology of the fishes (Zyadah
of the metals are found in benthic feeders as
and Chouikhi, 1999).
be species specific.
the
metal
content
in
food
and
especially
for
copper.
The
However, it must be
38 花蓮師院學報第十七期
noted that high variability of the metal
waters (Schuhmacher et al., 1992).
The
concentrations among individuals of fish within
accumulation of the metals in livers showed
the same species should be considerable (Wong
good correlation for zinc and cadmium with the
et al., 2001).
fish size (Al-Yousuf et al., 2000).
An age
dependency has been described in analyzing the
Seasonal variation
correlation between metal concentrations and
fish age (Ward and Neumann, 1999). In most
Marked Seasonal differences are found for
cases, negative relationships were reported in
cadmium and lead concentrations which are
cadmium, copper, lead and zinc, but positive
elevated in autumn as compared to spring, but
correlations were often found in mercury (Farkas
less pronounced for copper and zinc (Farkas et
et al., 2000). The negative correlations between
al., 2000). The highest metal concentrations in
the concentration of metals and fish age is caused
muscle appear between November and February,
by the variation of feeding rate with age of
during the periods of lower salinity, at the end of
individuals, the dilution by growth, and the food
the rainy season, and at the beginning of the dry
preference of certain age classes.
season (Campos-C, 1992). Increase of salinity
which has positive correlation with age is
in the environment would significantly reduced
possibly
the accumulation of copper in the tissues of
biomagnification (Amundsen et al., 1997).
the
only
metal
Mercury
related
to
Oreochromis niloticus (Karakoc, 1999). These
results showed that the salinity in environment
Sex effects
might interfere the accumulation of heavy metals
In addition, seasonal changes in
Metal levels in tissues differ between males
feeding rate, in gaining or losing weight, or in
and females, and the greatest differences are
synthesis of metal binding proteins, are all
found in gonads (Latkovskaya, 2000).
responsible for storage of the metals (Farkas et
concentrations of the essential metals of zinc and
al., 2000).
copper are higher in the female gonads, while the
in fishes.
The
male gonads have higher contents of the
Age and size dependent
non-essential metals of cadmium and lead. The
average metal concentrations in liver, skin and
The age and size of fish affect the metal
muscle of female fish are higher than those of
accumulation in themselves, as well as their
male fish (Al-Yousuf et al., 2000).
Different
feeding habits and retention time in polluted
concentrations of heavy metals accumulated in
重金屬在魚體之累積 39
different tissues between males and females
For example, the gills of the Liza macrolepis
probably
of
can be used as a good bio-indicator of metal
physiological processes in different sexes and the
pollution in coastal area because of the feeding
specificity of biochemical composition of tissues
habit and life style of the fish with a significant
during the periods of growth and gonad
bioaccumulation (Chen and Chen, 1999).
reflect
the
specific
nature
formation in fish (Latkovskaya, 2000).
Conclusions
Bio-indicator of monitoring
pollution
In fish tissues, accumulation of the
essential metals are generally higher and more
Some behavioural changes in fish are
observed
after
exposure
to
homeostatic than the non-essential metals.
sub-lethal
The distribution patterns of the accumulations
concentration of metals due to stress, and such
of the heavy metals in the fish tissues are
changes can be used as biological indicators or
similar.
as biological early warning system in water
and lowest metal concentrations are liver and
quality assessment (Khunyakari et al., 2001).
muscle, respectively.
Copper concentrations in gills and livers
metal concentrations and fish ages were
changed during the detoxification period,
generally negative in zinc, copper and cadmium,
indicating that histology is a successful tool
but positive in mercury.
capable of revealing sensitively the effects of
accumulated trends and mechanisms between
heavy metals on the environment and aquatic
the essential and non-essential metals are
biota (Arellano et al., 1999).
significantly different in fishes on their habitats
In addition,
McGeer et al. (2000) noticed that the initial
In general, the tissues of the highest
The relationships of the
However, the
and sex, seasons, and regulation patterns.
patterns of accumulation for each metal were
generally consistent with the damage, repair and
acclimation
pattern
from
physiological measurements.
Acknowledgements
concurrent
In monitoring
The author would like to express his hearty
metal pollution with fish, these specificities and
appreciation
differences should be considered.
Therefore,
Department of Marine Resources, National Sun
the specific fish species used, as well as the fish
Yat-sen University for his comments and
tissues selected, may be good metal pollution
suggestions on the manuscript, and Mr. Craig
indicators (Catsiki and Strogyloudi, 1999).
Deardoff for his help with English writing.
to
Prof.
C.-t.
Shih
of
the
I
40 花蓮師院學報第十七期
also wish to thank the two anonymous
concentrations in Ariopsis bonillai (Pisces:
reviewers for their constructive comments on
Siluriformes)
the manuscript.
Colombian
from
Santa
Caribbean.
Marta,
Revista
de
Biologia Tropical, 40(2), 179-183.
Catsiki, V. -A. and Strogyloudi, E. (1999).
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重金屬在魚體之累積 43
Table 1. Fish tissues accumulated the relative highest, high and low concentrations of the heavy metals,
copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and mercury.
Heavy
metal
Relative high
concentration tissue
Liver 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
Intestine 7
Gill 1, 3, 10
Muscle 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
Zinc
Liver 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, Gonad 2
Gill 3, 10, Intestine 5
Muscle 4, 6, 9, 10
Liver 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13,
Gonad 12, Kidney 11
Gill 3, 10, 13, Intestine 13
Muscle 6, 9, 10
Liver 3, 9, 10, 12
Gill 6, 10, 12
Muscle 9
Lead
Mercury
Liver 6, Muscle 14
-
Avenant-Oldewage and Marx (2000), fish
Otolithoides biaritus, Pellona felligera,
Wong et al. (2001), fish species: Epinephelus
Eleutheronema tetradactyla, Coilia
areolatus, Lutjanus russelli, Sparus sarba.
3
4
Farkas et al. (2000), fish species: Anguilla
10
Amundsen et al. (1997), fish species:
Coregonus lavaretus, Perca fluviatilis, Esox
lucioperca.
lucius, Lota lota, Salmo trutta, Coregonus
Al-Yousuf et al. (2000), fish species: Lethrinus
albula.
11
Chen and Chen (1999), fish species: Liza
macrolepis.
6
dussumieri, Harpodon nehereus.
anguilla, Abramis brama, Stizostedion
lentjan.
5
Muscle 6, 10
seheli, Johnius glaucus, Lates calcarifera,
species: Claries gariepinus.
2
Relative low
concentration tissue
Copper
Cadmium
1
Relative highest concentration
tissue
Oncorhynchus mykiss.
12
Roméo et al. (1999), fish species: Sardinella
Boops boops.
13
costae, Cephalophlis nigri, Pseudupeneus
prayensis.
Zyadah and Chouikhi (1999), fish species:
Mullus barbatus, Merluccius mercluccius,
aurita, Scomber japonicus, Trachurus
trachurus, Serranus scriba, Epinephlus
McGeer et al. (2000), fish species:
Lundebye et al. (1999), fish species: Salmo
salar.
14
Voigt (2000), fish species: Clupea harengus
7
Wong et al. (1999), fish species: Sparus sarba.
membras, Sprattus sprattus baltius,
8
Karakoc (1999), fish species: Oreochromis
Osmerus eperlanus, Esox lucios, Alburnus
niloticus.
9
Krishnamurti and Nair (1999) , fish species:
Arius tenuispinis, A. coelatus, Valamugil
alburnus, Rutilus rutilus, Gymnocephalus
cernua, Perca fluvatilis, Belone belone.
44 花蓮師院學報第十七期
重金屬在魚體之累積
黃文彬 a
a
國立花蓮師範學院自然科學教育學系
李宗徽 b
b
陳治宇 c,*
台北醫學大學生藥學研究所
c
醒吾技術學院觀光系
摘要
對海洋生物來說，由環境累積高濃度的重金屬在組織內通常被認為是有毒的。在本文中，
我們比較二種必需金屬(鋅與銅)與三種非必需金屬(鎘、鉛與汞)，在魚類體內肝臟、性腺、鰓、
腸及肌肉等組織中之累積情形。一般而言，重金屬在魚類組織中所累積濃度的高低順序通常是:
肝臟與性腺 > 鰓與腸 > 肌肉。必需金屬在魚體內所累積之濃度，通常比非必需金屬之濃度，
來得較高且穩定。因魚類本身攝食、棲地、性別與年齡大小，以及受環境季節變動與鹽度等因
子影響，造成魚體各組織內重金屬累積濃度差異或變動等現象，本文亦均有論述。
關鍵詞: 鋅、銅、鉛、鎘、汞、魚類、組織、污染