Heavy Metal Levels in Muscle Tissues of Solea solea, Mullus barbatus, and Sardina pilchardus Marketed for Consumption in Mersin,Turkey

Edible muscle tissues of Solea solea, Mullus barbatus, and Sardina pilchardus marketed in Mersin were analyzed for their Cr (total), Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As (total), Cd, Sn, and Pb levels. Metal levels of the tissues were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrophotometric (ICP-MS) methods. Muscle levels of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sn, and Pb were determined as 0.19–2.80, 0.08–3.88, 0.93–25.76, 0.03–0.63, 0.01–1.96, 1.28–45.95, 0.49–25.26, 0.14–4.03, and 0.02–1.37 mg kg^?1 w.w., respectively. Cadmium levels were below detection limits in all the muscle samples taken. Mean metal levels of the tissues were compared with the provisional tolerable daily (PTDs) and weekly (PTWIs) intake limits. Mean metal levels taken by the consumption of analyzed tissues were below PTDs and PTWIs; hence, the fish species studied do not pose any risk for human consumption from the point of heavy metals.