Uptake-release of pollutant by hilsa shad Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton-Buchanan) fish collected from southern Iraq.

Abstract

The up stream spawning migration of Hilisa Shad, Tenulosa ilisah from the Arbian gulf to the Shatt Al-Arab river began during early march and ended during late October; the bulk of migration was between the middle of April and June. Samples of these fish were collected from different locations (Shatt Al-Arab river estuary, North-West Arabian Gulf, and Mesopotamian Marshes). The present study was designed to give some insight to test the ability of Sbuor to absorb/concentrate pollutants. To achieve this, different age group were collected from March- September 2006. Fish muscles as well as gonads were taken, freeze-dried and trace organics were extracted and subjected to spectrofluorometric and gas chromatography analysis. Trace metal concentrations in Sbuor tissues were determined by Automic Absorption after digestion with strong acids. Result obtained in this study showed that Sbuor contain measurable amount of hydrocarbons. The compounds seem to be derived from different sources, while the concentrations of trace metals are acceptable although there was slight increase in the concentrations of some of these metals. Both concentrations of hydrocarbons and trace metals dose not represent a hazard on human health.