Trace metal and organochlorine residue levels in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) from the eastern Aegean, Turkey.

The levels of trace metals and organochlorine residue were determined in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the framework of a MED-POL II Project for the Aegean Sea during 1994-1998. Samples were analyzed seasonally from July 1994 to January 1998. The concentrations of trace metals found varied with Hg: 16-200 microg kg(-1), Cd: 0.57-4.5 microg kg(-1) and Pb: 40-207 microg kg(-1) wet weight. The order of trace metal concentrations found in Mullus barbatus was Pb > Hg > Cd. Correlation coefficients were calculated between Hg, Cd, and Pb concentrations and fork lengths to be Hg: 0.5852, Cd: -0.081, Pb: 0.5823, respectively. Cadmium levels are lower than the results in fish tissues reported from Mediterranean regions. The results of organochlorine residues measured varied between Aldrin: 0.10 and 0.61 microg kg(-1), t-DDD: 0.86 and 4.5 microg kg(-1) and t-DDE: 10 and 18 microg kg(-1) wet weight. Correlation coefficients for measured organochlorine residues and fork lengths are Aldrin: 0.6422, t-DDD: 0.2237 and t-DDE: 0.5484. The levels of mercury, lead and organochlorine residues are similar to the results in fish from Mediterranean countries.